Indigenous Peoples, Moro, and human rights groups on Thursday marked the third year since the disappearance of Indigenous rights defenders Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, saying enforced disappearances continue to be used against activists.
The groups gathered outside Camp Aguinaldo and called for the immediate surfacing of Capuyan and de Jesus and accountability for those responsible.
Protesters staged a protest action, spray-painting images of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and security forces and posting photos of the missing activists.
Capuyan and de Jesus were last seen on April 28, 2023. Their families and supporters said the lack of progress in the case reflects continuing impunity and inaction.
They said enforced disappearance is being used against Indigenous Peoples and rights defenders opposing land grabbing, militarization, and human rights violations.
Beverly Longid, national convener of Katribu, called for urgent action.
“We are not here just to call for justice. What is needed now is the immediate surfacing of Dexter and Bazoo and accountability for those responsible. Their disappearance is a direct attack on Indigenous Peoples defending their land and rights. Brawner, Caramat, and Bongbong must be held accountable,” Longid said.
Family members said the search continues despite the passage of time.
“We have been searching for my father and for Bazoo for three years. Every day they are missing adds to our pain as a family. But we will not grow tired of searching for them and demanding accountability from those responsible. We will not stop, and we will continue to strengthen this fight,” said Chuwaley Capuyan, daughter of Dexter Capuyan.
Youth groups also joined the protest and raised concerns over what they described as increasing repression against activists.
“The abduction of Capuyan and de Jesus exposes the state’s efforts to demonize acts of solidarity with Indigenous and marginalized communities, tagging advocacy work and community immersion as enemies of the state, as seen in the cases of Alyssa Alano, RJ Ledesma, Maureen Santuyo, and Errol Wendel. But this will not silence us; it will only fuel our resistance and strengthen our ranks,” said Ryan Serquina of Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino.
Rights groups including Desaparecidos and Kalikasan also joined the protest.
Organizers said they will continue to press for the surfacing of Capuyan, de Jesus, and other desaparecidos, and for accountability for those responsible.
