Desaparecidos, an organization of families and friends of the disappeared, stands in solidarity with the families of James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr. as we confront the horrifying reality of their enforced disappearances. Recent reports from Karapatan reveal the alarming sequence of events that suggest these abductions are not isolated incidents but are part of a coordinated, state-perpetrated operation.
James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr., who were friends and cycling buddies, are now both missing, forcibly taken from their families and their communities. The information gathered by Karapatan indicates that Felix, who had been searching for James, was himself abducted just days later. Witnesses reported seeing Felix being forcibly taken into a silver van by men in plain clothes near his home in Barangay Cobo, Tabaco City, Albay. Later, uniformed policemen were seen entering his home, taking his personal belongings, including his cellphone and laptop.
These disturbing developments point to a deliberate and organized operation, one that is reminiscent of the dark days of Martial Law when enforced disappearances were a common tool of state repression. The fact that Felix had reached out to Karapatan to report James’ disappearance just days before he was abducted only deepens our concern that this is part of a larger, systematic effort to silence those who dare to seek the truth.
We demand that all relevant authorities take immediate action to locate James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr. and ensure their safe return. The violation of their rights under Republic Act No. 10353, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, must not go unpunished. Those responsible for these heinous acts must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Enforced disappearance is a crime that inflicts unimaginable suffering on the victims and their families. It is a crime that robs individuals of their freedom, and families of their loved ones, and society of justice. We cannot allow this to continue.
Desaparecidos calls on all human rights advocates, organizations, and the broader public to join us in demanding that James and Felix be surfaced immediately, alive and unharmed. We will not rest until they are found and those responsible are held accountable. The fight for justice is a fight for all, and together, we will continue to seek the truth and demand justice for the disappeared. ###