No Peace Without Justice mourns the passing of Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon, Chair of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, in whose hearts and minds he will live on.
Chito was a force of nature: deeply committed to human rights for all, a skilled orator and a true leader. His compassion and commitment were evident through his words, his smile and his deeds. Even in the hardest times, Chito sought a way forward and inspired countless others to do the same. The Philippines is worse off for his loss; we can only take comfort in knowing his spirit will continue to inspire a generation of human rights activists to come, in the Philippines and beyond.
As the poet Wislawa Szymborska put it, in the face of tragedy, Reality demands that life goes on. The best way we can honour his memory and legacy is to do as Chito would demand, and Press On.
