The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) calls for exhaustive efforts in the search for two activists, Gene Roz de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan, who were reported missing after allegedly meeting at Golden City, SM Hypermarket in Taytay, Rizal. CHR, through its regional office in IV-A, is conducting an investigation following the petition of one victim’s family member and online allegations that the two are under the custody of state security units.
The 27-year-old De Jesus works as an Information and Communication Officer of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples Rights, while 56-year-old Capuyan is an activist leader based in La Trinidad, Benguet. Both de Jesus and Capuyan are University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio graduates who served as members of the Alliance of Concerned Students of UP Baguio during their college days.
The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance suspects that state security units are detaining the two on the allegation that the military has a 1.8-million peso bounty on Capuyan for being an officer of the Chadi Molintas Command of the New People’s Army. However, several Rizal-based law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies have responded that de Jesus and Capuyan are not in their custody.
CHR hopes that law enforcement agencies will maximize and exhaust all efforts in the search for the missing activists. Equally, we encourage witnesses and people with information to step forward and coordinate with CHR or other investigation authorities to help locate de Jesus and Capuyan. The Commission emphasizes to all parties that maintaining transparency is paramount in uncovering the truth behind this case.
Through its protection mandate, CHR will investigate any suspected arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of liberty, such as illegal arrest, detention, or abduction, as severe human rights violations punishable by law according to Republic Act No. 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, rooted in the principles of 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 country is a signatory. Further, we harp again our call for the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance to ensure that there is a legal standard for this individual right that can withstand the political dynamics of government, change of leadership, or policies.
This latest case of ‘desaparecidos’ manifests the continuing vulnerability of activists to involuntary disappearance and its other possible implications, such as illegal detention, torture, and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. We reiterate our fervent call for the concrete protection of activists and human rights defenders. All cases of desaparecidos necessitate unimpeded action and concrete resolution to reverse the continuing impunity that enable this heinous human rights violation. ###
#EndEnforcedDisappearances