Migrante International condemns the abduction of two Bicol-based activists in Albay last August 23 and 28. James Jazmines and Felix Salaveria Jr are the 14th and 15th victims of enforced disappearances under the Marcos Jr. regime.
James Jazmines, 63, had served the people for decades as a writer for student, cultural, and labor advocacy organizations. James is also the brother of Alan Jazmines, a consultant in the ongoing peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Reports from human rights group Karapatan state that Jazmines was last seen in Barangay San Lazaro, Tabaco City, Albay. He was returning home from the birthday party of Salaveria before a group of men forced Jazmines into a white van on August 23.
Felix Salaveria Jr, 66, is a long-time advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples. He had taken to cycling and urban mobility advocacy following his retirement, having been a founding member of Cycling Advocates (CYCAD). Salaveria was last seen in Barangay Cobo, Tabaco City on August 28. Felix had been searching for James for days when he himself was taken into a silver van by a group of men. Policemen were also seen taking Salaveria’s personal belongings from his home later on.
Overseas Filipinos are alarmed at the rise in cases of enforced disappearances in the past three years. Abductions under the current government began on the fourth day of Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s term, with the disappearances of women’s rights advocates Cha Pampoza and Leleng Mungcal on July 3, 2022. Also among recent desaparecidos are Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, two Cordillera-based activists. Bazoo, a youth leader and IP rights advocate, is the son of an OFW in Italy. The enforced disappearances of our loved ones and advocates in the Philippines must come to an end.
Migrante International joins human rights advocates in calling on the Philippine government to surface James Jazmines, Felix Salaveria Jr, and all desaparecidos. Far apart as we may be, we are one in seeking justice for the disappeared back home.
