The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemns the alleged abduction of two development workers, Arman Dayoha and Dyan Gumanao, who were reported missing since 10 January 2023 in Cebu City. CHR, through its regional office in Central Visayas, has already begun its independent motu proprio probe upon notice of various posts circulating online regarding their disappearance prior to being found.
According to relatives and various progressive groups, they were last seen aboard MV 2GO Maligaya en route to Cebu City, but neither have been in contact nor have been present at work since the passenger ship docked at Pier 6 on 10 January 2023. This incident comes after an alleged series of harassment and tailing from State agents since 05 June 2020 when they were arrested during a protest against the Anti-Terror Law.
Both Dayoha and Gumanao are labor rights advocates—the former being a coordinator of the Alliance of Health Workers in Cebu and the latter as a volunteer coordinator of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in Central Visayas.
On 16 January 2023, the two were finally found and, while physically fine, were said to still mentally recover from the experience. A video of the alleged abduction sent by a concerned citizen was also shown during the press conference held by the victims’ family and colleagues on the same day. The said video, said to be taken on 10 January 2023 at around 9:00 AM, shows men in plain clothes forcing individuals, believed to be Dayoha and Gumanao, into a vehicle while people in the area were being heard asking for help. Concerned colleagues, however, share that when they asked 2GO Group, Inc. (2GO), the Cebu Port Authority, the Maritime Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Region VII, all denied there being any sort of commotion at the docks.
Dayoha and Gumanao were also reported to have been detained with no communication and were interrogated in different rooms during their alleged abduction.
CHR stresses that the Philippine Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of all. Any form of arbitrary, unlawful deprivation of liberty, such as illegal arrest, detention, or abduction, is also punishable by law under Republic Act (RA) No. 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012. We reiterate that the State must adhere to the principles and standards on the absolute condemnation of human rights violations set by various international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, both of which the Philippines is a State party.
Furthermore, Section 7 of RA 10353 obligates anyone who has information of a case of enforced or involuntary disappearance to report the circumstances and whereabouts of the victim to any law enforcement agency, to the CHR or any human rights organisation, and to the victim’s kin or lawyers.
We welcome the “deep, thorough, and impartial” investigation recently ordered by the Director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas on the alleged abduction of the two development workers.
As we conduct our own independent investigation, CHR strongly urges law enforcement agencies to treat this case with urgency. For justice’s sake, this case must be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. Enforced disappearance is a serious human rights violation.
We also call on 2GO and concerned authorities to cooperate and maintain transparency so we may ascertain the truth on this matter. Perpetrators must be held accountable in the name of serving justice to all, regardless of socio-political affiliations and ideological beliefs.
The Commission thanks all those who came forward to help the families gather evidence and aided their retrieval. We note the details communicated moving forward.
CHR maintains its commitment to uphold the rights of all, especially in the face of serious violations of human rights and dignity. ###