Families of the 11 local farmers and members of progressive organizations who were allegedly abducted commemorated the 2nd International Day of the Disappeared and called for justice and their loved ones to surface at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Church in Bacolod City yesterday.

Julius Dagatan, spokesperson of Negros Black Ribbon Crusade, said they have recorded 11 disappearances since 2005 and the promise of President Benigno Aquino III of genuine justice has not been fulfilled especially for those victimized under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Dagatan identified those missing as Perseus Geagoni (Dec.5, 2005), Roberto Marapo and Deonilo Borres (May 8, 2006), Felicidad Katalbas (Jan. 5, 2007), Flaviano Arante and Reynold Yanoc (Jan. 2008), cousins Razel and Jason Pelayo (May 26, 2009), and Michael Celeste, Gerald Alabe, and Julie Devero (July 19, 2011).

He said these people were victims of human rights violations allegedly committed by the military in Negros Occidental and the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.

NBRC, Bayan, and Karapatan Negros called on the authorities to investigate and focus on the abduction cases and give justice to their families.

Luisa and Vergie Pelayo parents of Razel and Jason said they depended on the Philippine National Police to investigate their children’s disappearance but no progress has been made in two years now.

Luisa said that if their children are dead, they still want to see them and asked for the abductors to return their bodies.*LTG

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