DAVAO CITY (May 7) — Former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Joel Virador passed away this morning.
His son Harvey Rafael Virador in a facebook post stated “The best Tatay in the world. Salamat kaayo sa tanang ka ayo nimu tay. Pasayloa ko sa tanan nakong mga sayop. Amping sa imung biyahe tay. I love you.. Rest In Peace.”
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate in an interview with NewsLine.ph said Virador is a big loss to the people “A very intelligent, competent and humble leader, he is a good husband and good father, he lived a very simple life, he is worth emulating.”
Virador is best remembered by his strong stance on human rights abuses, he was among the pioneers of rights group Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFD-P) and later pioneered Karapatan, a human rights group.
He then became the Representative of Bayan Muna in Congress. After his term, he again joined the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and later went on medical leave.
Even during his college days, Virador was a youth leader, he was known in the campus for fighting the cause of the students and victims of injustice.
Fellow student leaders mourn the loss of Virador.
His remains will be brought to IFI Compound along Torres St. but will be brought to his hometown in Makilala anytime this week.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
