BANGKOK, Thailand (9 September 2024) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the escalating number of enforced disappearance, abduction, and arbitrary arrests of human rights defenders in the Philippines.

“FORUM-ASIA is alarmed over the rapidly growing cases of enforced disappearances under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Tactics of repression and intimidation are increasingly being used against human rights defenders and dissenting voices,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA.

Alarming patterns of arrests and abductions

On 29 August 2024, peasant rights advocate and former political prisoner Cirila Estrada and her companion Victor Pelayo were reported missing in Capiz Province. Two days later, they were reportedly arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. In 2010, Estrada was imprisoned for trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In 2012, her case was dismissed.

On 28 August 2024, environmental rights and indigenous rights advocate Felix Salaveria Jr. –was reportedly abducted. Salaveria is a founding member of civil society organisations advocating for indigenous peoples, Tabak (Tunay na Alyansa ng Bayan Alay sa mga Katutubo) and Katribu (Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino).

On 23 August 2024, James Jazmines–the brother of Alan Jazmines, a consultant for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which is a coalition of national democratic revolutionary justice groups, trade unions, indigenous rights groups, and leftist parties in the Philippines–was reported missing in Tabaco City, Albay Province. James previously served as the information officer of independent labour centre Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Filipino human rights group KARAPATAN, a FORUM-ASIA member organisation, has provided evidence suggesting that state security forces were involved in these abductions. Witnesses also recounted how a group of uniformed policemen entered Salaveria’s home and confiscated his personal belongings.

Alleged involvement of security forces 

Since Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022, at least 14 individuals have gone missing after reportedly being abducted by armed men. Such abductions have long been used to instil fear and to silence critics, especially among environmental human rights defenders and labour rights defenders.

In July 2023, environment and youth activist Rowena Dasig was arrested by the 85th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army while conducting a study on the negative impacts of the Atimonan One Energy Project on both communities and the environment. On 22 August 2024, Dasig was acquitted of trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. On the same day, she was scheduled for release from the Lucena City District Jail. However, Dasig has been missing since her release. Dasig’s lawyers and paralegals are concerned over the possibility that Dasig may have been abducted by the military allegedly due to their frustration over the acquittal of such fabricated charges.

Meanwhile, labour rights defender William Lariosa has been missing since 10 April 2024. Lariosa was allegedly taken by the 48th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Before his disappearance, Lariosa and his family have reportedly received threats and harassment from state forces.

On 2 September 2023, community volunteers and environmental rights defenders Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano were allegedly abducted by armed men in Orion, Bataan Province. Similar to other activists, Castro and Tamano had reportedly faced intimidation and harassment prior to their disappearance. Two weeks later, on 19 September, Castro and Tamano were freed. They confirmed they had been abducted by the military and threatened during their arrest.

In August 2024, the Philippine Movie and Television Review and Classification Board attempted to ban a documentary–centering on the enforced disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos alongside other cases of abducted human rights defenders–from public viewing. Due to pressure from civil society, the authorities later lifted the ban and classified the movie as suitable for viewers aged 16 and above.

Call to action

FORUM-ASIA calls for the immediate and safe return of all Filipino human rights defenders who have gone missing.

While the Philippines outlawed enforced disappearances with the passage of the 2012 Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act, the law has failed to effectively prevent disappearances and hold perpetrators accountable.

“The Involuntary Disappearance Act stipulates that those responsible for enforced disappearances can face life imprisonment. Section 8 of the said Act requires government security agencies to issue certifications regarding the whereabouts or absence of a missing person. However, the law has miserably failed to prevent disappearances and to ensure the resurfacing of the victims. This exacerbates the Philippines’ culture of impunity and injustice, where human rights violators are essentially shielded from scrutiny and accountability,” Bacalso explained.

“The Philippine Government must take decisive actions to enforce the 2012 Involuntary Disappearance Act by investigating, prosecuting, and punishing perpetrators of enforced disappearances to the full extent of the law,.” Bacalso continued.

As mandated by law, all security agencies are required to provide information on the whereabouts of missing individuals. There should be independent investigations into the alleged involvement of state security forces in the abduction of activists. Likewise, the government must take prompt actions to end enforced disappearances; to seek truth and justice; to hold perpetrators accountable; to provide reparations for victims, survivors, and their families; and to guarantee non-repetition.

The Philippine Government must implement stronger measures to support and protect human rights defenders, making sure that they are able to carry out their invaluable work without fear of reprisals.

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About FORUM-ASIA:

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is a network of 85 member organisations across 23 countries, mainly in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity development and solidarity actions in Asia and beyond. It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The FORUM-ASIA Secretariat is based in Bangkok, with offices in Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu. www.forum-asia.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Communication and Media Programme, FORUM-ASIA, [email protected]