Rights groups raise concerns over spate of enforced disappearances

Rights groups raise concerns over spate of enforced disappearances

Human rights groups on April 2 sounded the alarm over the increasing cases of abduction of activists and victims of enforced disappearances under the Marcos Jr. administration. 

In a ‘sunset gathering’ at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which was led by the Free Jonas Burgos Movement and Desaparecidos (families of enforced disappearance victims), the groups said that disappearances “continue with impunity”.

Edith Burgos, the mother of the missing peasant activist Jonas Burgos, said that 17 years after her son’s disappearance, “many more have been disappeared,” adding, “No one has been held accountable”.

The 37-year-old Burgos was abducted on April 28, 2007, while having lunch in a restaurant in Quezon City in the Philippine capital. 

The abduction has become one of the most prominent cases of enforced disappearances in the country. The Burgos family and human rights groups accused the Philippine military of having a hand in the abduction.

Karapatan reported at least 14 victims of enforced disappearances under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., including Indigenous peoples’ rights activists Dexter Capuyan and Gene Ros “Bazoo” de Jesus.

“Forgiveness has no place in my heart as long as disappearances continue, for as long as the state stripped our ties from our mothers, fathers, siblings, children, friends, and loved ones,” said Ida De Jesus, sister of Bazoo.

Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan, said the number does not include those who were abducted and have been surfaced but “suffered from physical and mental torture”.

“Just recently, two environmental defenders were taken in Pangasinan. They were found bruised but alive by the fact-finding team three days later,” said Palabay. 

Palabay was referring to Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Axielle “Jak” Tiong, leaders of the Pangasinan People Strike for the Environment Inc. (PPSEI) and members of the Ecology Ministry of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, who were abducted in Polo village, San Carlos City in Pangasinan province on March 24.

Here is the list of victims of enforced disappearances under the Marcos Jr. administration:

1. Elgene Mungcal
Date abducted: 03 July 2022
Place of incident: Moncada, Tarlac

2. Ma. Elena Pampoza
Date abducted: 03 July 2022
Place of incident: Moncada, Tarlac

3. Ariel Badiang
Date abducted: 07 February 2023
Place of incident: Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

4. Renel Delos Santos

5. Denald Laloy Malen

6.Lyn Grace Martullinas
Date abducted: 19 April 2023
Place of incident: Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

7. Dexter Capuyan

8. Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus
Date abducted: 28 April 2023
Place of incident: Taytay, Rizal

9. Deah Lopez
Date abducted: 15 September 2023
Place of incident: Sipalay, Negros Occidental

10. Norman Ortiz

11. Lee Sudario
Date abducted: 29 September 2023
Place of incident: Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

12. Mariano Jolongbayan
Date abducted: 17 November 2023
Place of incident: Lian, Batangas

13. Mar Silos
Date abducted: 29 November 2023
Place of incident: Sariaya, Quezon

14. Nelson Bautista
Date abducted: 25 January 2024
Place of incident: Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay

Updated on April 9 to add Mar Silos, the 13th victim of enforced disappearance since Marcos Jr. took office.