Desaparecidos: Surface indigenous people's rights defenders, Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus!

[KARAPATAN Public Information]

Surface indigenous people's rights defenders, Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan!

Desaparecidos strongly condemns the disappearance of Gene Roz Jamil De Jesus and Bontoc-Ibaloi-Kankanaey Dexter Capuyan, two indigenous peoples' rights defenders in the Philippines. We are deeply concerned for their safety and urge the authorities to take immediate action to locate and ensure their safe return.

De Jesus is information and networking officer working with the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples' Rights (TFIP), and Capuyan, who was seeking medical treatment, have been missing since the night of April 28. Their last known whereabouts was in Taytay, Rizal, where communication with them was cut off.

It is particularly alarming that Capuyan has been accused of being a "communist terrorist group personality," a label that has been used to justify the harassment, threats, and even death of individuals in the past. 

We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the disappearance of De Jesus and Capuyan, and to ensure that their human rights are respected and upheld.

We also call on the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding the whereabouts of De Jesus and Capuyan. The protection of human rights defenders is essential to the promotion and protection of human rights for all. 

We stand in solidarity with the families and friends of De Jesus and Capuyan, and all those who work tirelessly to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and promote social justice and democracy in the Philippines and around the world. ###

Reference:

Isabel Batralo, Vice-Chairperson, Desaparecidos

Mobile No. (0917) 714 8245