Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — Families of missing University of the Philippines alumni and activists Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan have filed separate petitions for habeas corpus before the Court of Appeals.
The petitioners — Idda Alexa Therese de Jesus-Tiongco, Dexter Cynthia Arciso Capuyan, and Gabrielle Chuwaley Capuyan — accused state forces of abducting the two alumni in Taytay, Rizal last April 28.
READ: UP urges gov’t to locate, uphold rights of missing alumni
They cited informants who narrated that Bazoo and Dexter were on board a tricycle when they were blocked by individuals who introduced themselves as members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) inside Golden City Subdivision, and were forced into separate vehicles.
The 56-year-old Dexter is an activist leader based in Benguet, while Bazoo is an Information and Communication Officer of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
The respondents are Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Rizal police provincial director Dominic Baccay, and PNP-CIDG Chief Gen. Romeo Caramat.
The writ of habeas corpus commands an individual or a government official who has restrained another individual to produce the prisoner at a designated time and place so that the court can determine whether the prisoner’s custody is legal or not.
In a statement, Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights expressed support for the families in seeking help from the court.
“Sa ngalan ng hustisya at kredibilidad ng ating mga batas, umaasa kami na tutugunan nang mabilis ng CA ang mga kahilingan ng mga pamilya upang ligtas at buhay na mailitaw sina Bazoo at Dexter,” the group said.
[Translation: In the name of justice and the credibility of our laws, we hope the CA will quickly respond to the requests of the families so that Bazoo and Dexter can be brought out safe and alive.]
“Hindi mga kriminal o terorista sina Bazoo at Dexter. Kung mayroon man silang mga naging pagkakasala, hindi dapat sila dukutin at sapilitang mawala,” it added.
[Translation: Bazoo and Dexter are neither criminals nor terrorists. If they committed any wrongdoing, they should not be abducted and forced to disappear.]
