APRIL 28 MEDIA ADVISORY: Families, rights groups mark anniversaries of disappearances; protest Supreme Court’s failure to deliver justice
KARAPATAN Public Information
MEDIA ADVISORY
For April 28, 2026
Families, rights groups mark anniversaries of disappearances;
protest Supreme Court’s failure to deliver justice
April 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Supreme Court, Manila
Desaparecidos (Families of the Disappeared for Justice), together with human rights alliance KARAPATAN, will gather in front of the Supreme Court on April 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM to mark the 3rd anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” de Jesus, as well as the 19th year since the disappearance of Jonas Burgos.
Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, both Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocates, were forcibly disappeared on April 28, 2023 in Taytay, Rizal. Witnesses reported they were last seen in the custody of suspected state agents. To this day, their whereabouts remain unknown.
Jonas Burgos, agriculturist and activist, was abducted on April 28, 2007 inside a mall in Quezon City. Despite strong evidence linking state security forces to his disappearance, including military involvement, Burgos remains missing after 19 years, with his family continuing to demand truth and justice.
The protest will highlight the failure of the Supreme Court’s protective writs, such as the writs of amparo and habeas data, to effectively safeguard victims of enforced disappearance and ensure accountability. Families and advocates assert that these legal remedies have fallen short on delivering justice, as perpetrators remain unpunished and victims remain missing.
As part of the protest, participants will tie gray ribbons at the gates of the Supreme Court to symbolize that justice remains blurred and uncertain.
Participants will call on the Supreme Court to strengthen mechanisms for protection, accountability and redress, and to act decisively in upholding the rights of victims of enforced disappearance.
Reference:
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk through Josephine Lumawod, 0926-6268023
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.