By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY—The Supreme Court’s recent issuance of the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data for two indigenous rights activists who have been missing since April 28 last year has brought “renewed hope” to their families.
The families’ counsels received the Supreme Court En Banc resolution, dated September 9, on November 19. The ruling favored Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz “Bazoo” De Jesus, whose families filed the petition last August through their counsels from the La Viña Zarate law firm.
“Labis ang kasiyahan ng aming pamilya sa balitang ini-grant ng Korte Suprema ang mga Writ of Amparo at Habeas Data para kina Dad at Bazoo,” said Capuyan’s daughter, Gabrielle, in a Nov. 28 text message.
(Our family is overjoyed by the news that the Supreme Court granted the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data for Dad and Bazoo.)
“Isang hakbang ito patungo sa paghahanap ng katarungan at pagkakaroon linaw sa mga nag-aalalang tanong. Higit sa lahat, ang desisyong ito ay nagbigay ng bagong sigla at pag-asa sa amin makapiling namin ang mga mahal naming inagaw sa amin,” she added.
(This is a step toward seeking justice and answering troubling questions. Above all, this decision has brought us renewed strength and hope to be reunited with our loved ones who were taken from us.)
The two activists were reportedly abducted in Taytay, Rizal, by individuals who identified themselves as operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). Human rights group Karapatan has documented 14 victims of enforced disappearance under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, as of October 31.
The Supreme Court ordered respondents, including senior officials from the CIDG, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to submit sworn statements detailing their actions, the data they gathered about Capuyan and De Jesus, and any relevant information regarding their disappearance. Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, who have been linked to the case, were also named in the order.
“The issuance of these Writs by the Supreme Court marks a crucial step in the legal battle to uncover the truth, secure justice, and ultimately surface Capuyan and De Jesus,” La Viña Zarate said in a statement.
The decision also included a Temporary Protection Order for the families, which the lawyers described as “a critical measure to prevent further harm or intimidation.” Counsels expect the Appellate Court to raffle the case in the coming weeks.
The Writ of Amparo serves as legal protection for individuals whose rights to life, liberty, and security have been violated or are under threat due to unlawful acts or omissions by public officials, employees, or private entities. Meanwhile, the Writ of Habeas Data safeguards individuals whose right to privacy concerning life, liberty, or security has been violated or is at risk.
In July 2023, the families filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus, which the Court of Appeals dismissed in September last year. # nordis.net
