On 3rd year of abduction of Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus: Indigenous and advocate groups intensify call to surface, demand accountability for Indigenous rights defenders

QUEZON CITY, April 30, 2026 – Indigenous Peoples, Moro, and rights groups trooped to Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday to mark the third year since the abduction and enforced disappearance of Indigenous rights defenders Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, intensifying the call to surface them and demanding accountability from the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regime.

Led by Katribu, Sandugo, and Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino, the groups carried out a militant symbolic action by spray-painting representations of the face of Marcos Jr., along with the logos of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), condemning their role in the abduction and continued disappearance of the two Indigenous rights defenders. Posters bearing the faces of Dexter and Bazoo were also put up on the walls of the AFP’s national headquarters.

Three years since they were last seen on April 28, 2023, the families, friends, and colleagues of Capuyan and de Jesus slammed the state’s inaction and impunity, asserting that enforced disappearance remains a weapon used against Indigenous Peoples and rights defenders resisting land grabbing, militarization, and human rights violations.

Beverly Longid, national convener of Katribu, stressed the urgency of surfacing the disappeared and exacting accountability. “Hindi kami nandito para lang manawagan para sa hustisya. Dahil ang kailangan ngayon ay agarang pagpapalitaw kina Dexter at Bazoo at pagpapanagot sa mga may sala. Their disappearance is a direct attack on Indigenous Peoples defending their land and rights. Brawner, Caramat, and Bongbong must be held accountable.”

Chuwaley Capuyan, daughter of Dexter Capuyan, delivered a sharp appeal from the families. “Tatlong taon na kaming naghahanap sa aking ama at kay Bazoo. Bawat araw na wala sila ay dagdag na pasakit sa aming pamilya. Ngunit hindi kami mapapagod na hanapin sila at singilin ang mga may pananagutan. Hindi kami titigil, pero patuloy na magpapalakas sa labang ito.”

Youth groups likewise denounced the climate of repression confronting youth and student activists. Ryan Serquina of Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino said, “The abduction of Capuyan and de Jesus exposes the state’s efforts to demonize acts of solidarity with Indigenous and marginalized communities, tagging advocacy work and community immersion as enemies of the state, as seen in the cases of Alyssa Alano, RJ Ledesma, Maureen Santuyo, and Errol Wendel. But this will not silence us; it will only fuel our resistance and strengthen our ranks.”

The groups also drew support from rights organizations Desaparecidos and Kalikasan as part of the continuing condemnation of attacks against rights defenders and activists. The protest concluded with a call to intensify the search for Dexter, Bazoo, and all other desaparecidos, and to build broader solidarity until they are surfaced and those responsible are held to account.

Reference:

Katribu Public Information Desk

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