CHR condemns enforced disappearances of 2 activists in Albay

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the enforced disappearances of two activists in Tabaco City in Albay as it deplored these acts as grave violations of one’s fundamental human rights.

The CHR Region V has already launched a Quick Response Operation (QRO) to investigate the alleged abductions of James Jasminez, 63, who was reportedly taken by a group of men and forced into a white van on the night of Aug. 23.

It said the second abduction involved Jasminez’s friend, Felix Salaveria Jr., 66. He was reportedly taken by men wearing plain clothes and forced inside a silver van while he was on his way home after buying food on Aug. 28 -- just five days after Jasminez was taken.

The incident was witnessed by Salaveria’s neighbor and recorded on the barangay’s CCTV, it also said.

“The CHR calls for an exhaustive and immediate search for Jasminez and Salaveria, along with other victims of enforced disappearances in the country. This requires the full cooperation of all relevant authorities and law enforcement bodies to act swiftly in addressing this alarming situation,” the CHR said in a statement.

It stressed the urgent need for stricter enforcement of Republic Act No. 10353, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act, to address these incidents effectively.

“Bolstering the implementation of this law will help ensure that policy-level solutions are fully utilized to address the issue. In addition to the search for victims, it is imperative to identify and prosecute those responsible, holding them accountable under the rule of law,” the CHR said.

As the country’s national human rights institution, the CHR strengthened its resolve to protect human rights and pursue justice for those whose rights have been violated - in this case, it is calling for collective and decisive actions that would resolve cases of enforced disappearances.