Calls for Justice and Accountability Amplify as Preliminary Hearings on Writs for Desaparecidos Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo De Jesus Begin
- Katribu Nasyunal
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
April 10, 2025 - Indigenous Peoples, human rights advocates, and families of desaparecidos Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus gathered today in front of the Court of Appeals as preliminary hearings commenced for the Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Data filed on their behalf.
“April 28 will mark two years since the abduction of Dexter and Bazoo. Until now, state agents continue to deny any involvement or custody. We hope that the petitions for Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data will finally uncover the truth and hold the perpetrators accountable,” said Beverly Longid, National Convener of Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas.
Dexter, a Bontok-Ibaloi-Kankanaey, and Bazoo, a dedicated Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocate, were forcibly disappeared on April 28, 2023. Eyewitness accounts and reports implicate state agents—particularly elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)—in their abduction.
Since their disappearance, Katribu, alongside their families and other Indigenous organizations, has relentlessly searched for their whereabouts, conducting visits to various police and military facilities. Most institutions, however, have refused to cooperate—denying access, withholding information, and failing to comply with legal obligations to disclose custody status.
The petitions invoke the Writ of Amparo, a remedy designed to protect individuals from threats to life, liberty, and security, and the Writ of Habeas Data, which compels state authorities to disclose information about individuals under threat or surveillance.
“The hearings are not only about surfacing Dexter and Bazoo. They are about defending the right to truth and justice for all victims of enforced disappearance. We hope this case sets a precedent for others seeking redress and exposes the alarming rise of enforced disappearances in the country,” Longid added.
Katribu calls on all freedom-loving Filipinos to join in demanding the immediate surfacing of Dexter and Bazoo and to hold accountable those responsible for their disappearance.
Reference
Beverly Longid
KATRIBU National Convener
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