“Fighting against the reinstatement of death penalty is not an easy task. It is an uphill battle,” Sevilla said. Recognizing representing the Codalition, shared oppose this struggle, former Participatory Education that cities in Metro inhumane acts on CHR Chairperson Rights Awareness Manila, such and have as Caloocan, started Lorretta and have Ann “Etta” Rosales, Social Action founded conversations on (PERAS) organizations human to rights. “In Caloocan, for instance, there is a guide for restorative justice to help victims of drug abuse. Local government helps the church and the community. It is indeed very important to organize people in the community level to capacitate them as rights-holders and duty-bearers.” Rosales said. Not as revenge One of the speakers of the public forum was a well-renowned Kazama. Japanese photojournalist Toshi He has been taking photographs of death row inmates — as well as of the families of their victims - for more than two decades. Reflecting on the course of his profession and experience, he shared that it is a popular misconception that families of murdered victims want the death penalty, as a form of revenge. “The media only covers the reaction of the murdered victims’ families right after the crime, so that becomes the perception. Like myself, some of the victims choose to forgive — not because we do not want the perpetrators to get punished - but because we cannot live in anger and hatred.” He further shared that some of the victims’ families choose to live in unity and compassion rather than hatred, because that would only perpetuate violence. Kazama also showcased his photographs at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay last 14-16 August 2017. Also present founder at the Rafendi event Djamin; were Ninian CHR Chairperson Sumadia of the Jose Luis ASEAN Martin Youth “Chito” Forum; Gascon; and other CAPDA CSO representatives, who all stand against the reinstatement of the death penalty in the Philippines. 82