Human rights organization Karapatan has criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his silence on the abductions of James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr., which occurred on August 23 and August 28, respectively, in Tabaco City, Albay.
The group has presented CCTV footage indicating possible involvement of state forces, demanding an immediate response.
Cristina Palabay, the secretary general of Karapatan, emphasized that the documented abductions represent blatant violations of Republic Act No. 10353, which criminalizes enforced disappearances and was enacted to protect citizens from state overreach and clandestine detentions.
During a search mission from September 11-13, 2024, CCTV footage showed men in plain clothes abducting Salaveria near his home. The footage captured the men in a Toyota van with plate number VAA5504 abducting Salaveria at 11:03 am on August 28. Persons of interest also included individuals on motorcycles seen during the incident, according to Karapatan.
In a separate incident on August 23, 2024, a Toyota van with plate number NDR5274 was recorded entering the barangay where James Jazmines was abducted at 10:00 pm and leaving at 10:16 pm. Following the van were a black Hilux pick-up, a grey Avanza, and a grey Innova vehicle. This period aligns with the estimated time of Jazmines’ abduction, the group said.
Later, police reportedly entered Salaveria’s residence to seize personal items. The vehicle used in his abduction was also recorded, with its plate number documented.
In a press briefing on Sept. 23, human rights lawyer Antonio La Viña said the CCTV footage suggested that the abductions were “professional” and “sophisticated” operations that “only the state security [forces] could do.”
Gab Ferrer, daughter of Salaveria, criticized the national police for what she described as a “lack of urgency” in addressing her father’s abduction.
“I am appealing to [authorities] to do everything within their power to find my father because they have the access and resources to make it happen,” she said.
Under RA 10353, state security must provide details on the whereabouts of missing persons and disclose locations of detention facilities for inspection by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Those responsible for enforced disappearances face life imprisonment.
Despite these laws, Palabay raised concerns about the increase in disappearances, linking them to a culture of impunity under the current administration.
“Three disappearances occurred in August alone—those of Jazmines, Salaveria, and former political prisoner Rowena Dasig,” she noted. “This totals 15 victims since Marcos Jr. assumed office.”
Karapatan called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the disappearances of Jazmines and Salaveria.
The organization sought a resolution to the cases and accountability for those involved, emphasizing the importance of prosecuting those responsible and ensuring that justice was delivered to the victims and their families.
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