With no graves to mourn at, families of desaparecidos rallied at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani on All Souls’ Day in the Philippines to honor their missing loved ones and renew calls for justice and accountability.
The families of Desaparecidos, along with advocates for victims of enforced disappearances, called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to account for the 14 individuals reportedly abducted under his administration.
“We demand the surfacing of the 1,894 documented victims of enforced disappearance since the regime of Marcos Sr.,” said Edita Burgos, whose son Jonas was abducted in 2007.
Burgos, an 81-year-old member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, emphasized that the gathering is a “stark reminder of the state’s failure to prevent this grave violation and to protect the human rights of its people.”
Republic Act No. 10353, enacted in 2012, criminalizes enforced disappearance and mandates state security forces to account for missing persons and provide families with information.
However, families say these requirements still need to be fulfilled, accusing law enforcement of disregarding clear obligations under the law.
Linda Cadapan, whose daughter Sherlyn disappeared in 2006 along with fellow activist Karen Empeño, recounted a recent experience in Bicol, where families sought information on the disappearances of James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr.
“Search teams who went to Bicol to look for James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr. were met with indifference from police officers despite their awareness of the abductions,” said Cadapan.
Despite existing evidence and available leads, the Tabaco City police has not yet taken steps to investigate or assist in resolving these cases, she added.
Relatives presented CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts that, they allege, corroborate the abductions.
The footage shows Salaveria Jr. being taken by force into a white van in broad daylight on August 28, 2024.
Witnesses also reported seeing Jazmines abducted on August 23, with additional CCTV footage showing suspicious vehicles at the scene.
Bileth Batralo, whose brother Cesar is among the disappeared, urged the government and security agencies to “open all military camps and declare and disclose the locations of secret detention centers, as mandated by law, to the families of victims.”
The 14 missing individuals cited by families include Elgene Mungcal, Ma. Elena Pampoza, Renel delos Santos, Denald Laloy Mialen, Lyn Grace Martullinas, Dexter Capuyan, Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus, Deah Lopez, Mariano Solongbayan, Lee Sudario, Norman Ortiz, William Lariosa, James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr.
These cases are the latest in a long history of disappearances in the Philippines, adding to fears about state accountability under the Marcos administration.
As a sign of solidarity and remembrance, families hung shirts marked with the letters “S-U-R-F-A-C-E” at the event. They also shared poems and letters for their missing loved ones, concluding the program with flowers and candles as a tribute.
“Each year, we come together with heavy hearts but with undying hope that we will one day find them, and that candles will be lit and flowers offered at their resting places,” said Cadapan.
