Katribu calls for state forces’ accountability amid court hearing for Desap Dexter Capuyan, Bazoo De Jesus’ Writ of Amparo, Habeas Data

𝘋𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥.

Today, May 5, 2025, the Court of Appeals hears the case for the Writs of Habeas Data and Amparo for Desaparecidos Dexter Stewart Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil "Bazoo" De Jesus. Their enforced disappearance represents the continued repression faced by those who dedicate their lives to serving the Indigenous Peoples.

Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas stands in unwavering solidarity with Dexter and Bazoo’s families, colleagues, and communities in demanding truth, accountability, and justice.

It has been two years since agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group abducted Bontok-Ibaloi-Kankanaey Dexter and Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocate Bazoo. For two years, their families have endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty, tirelessly searching for answers that remain withheld.

The Supreme Court’s issuance of the Writ of Habeas Data and Writ of Amparo for Dexter and Bazoo was a crucial step in the fight to surface them and hold accountable those responsible for their enforced disappearance. These writs provide essential legal safeguards against enforced disappearances, serving as instruments to demand transparency, protection, and an urgent investigation into their case.

The hearing at the Court of Appeals today is a critical moment where justice must not be denied and where the truth must be uncovered. A favorable decision will not only strengthen protections for Indigenous rights defenders but will also send a strong message that enforced disappearances and impunity must never be tolerated. It will be a step towards justice for the many who have been forcibly disappeared by a state that favors exploitation and repression.

Katribu urges state security forces to disclose the truth, release all withheld information, and be held accountable for their actions. Those responsible for the abduction of Dexter and Bazoo must be prosecuted, and immediate steps must be taken to ensure their safe return.

Let’s continue fighting for justice, truth, and the protection of the Indigenous Peoples and human rights defenders.

#SurfaceDexterAndBazoo

#SurfaceAllDesaparecidos

#StopTheAttacks

Reference:

Beverly Longid

KATRIBU National Convener