UP Baguio commemorates first year since Dexter and Bazoo’s disappearance

May 3, 2024 | By Ma. Nicole Flores

Families and supporters of Dexter and Bazoo gather in UP Baguio on April 28 to commemorate the first year since the abduction of Dexter and Bazoo and the 40th Peoples' Cordillera Day. (The Companion/M.A. Flores)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — On April 28, a year after the abduction of Cordilleran activists Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus, their families and supporters gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio to remember them.

Tony La Viña, the families’ attorney, said that they have already traced some movements and gathered witnesses. On May 3, all the information gathered on the case will be put together to show to Dexter and Bazoo that they will not be forgotten.

De Jesus’ sister, Idda De Jesus-Tiongco, shared how she was hurt for her family when other people expected them to give up. She also emphasized that Dexter and Bazoo were not only missing, but it was an enforced disappearance.

“It has been a painful year of not seeing my brother, not knowing where he is, what has been done to him, and who those cruel people were behind their abduction,” she said.

De Jesus’ sister saw him in solidarity with the masses, not with the goal of being rich but to help others and to understand their situation.

“There’s no way we will give up searching for him, because I still hope he comes home to us to tell us what he went through, to remind us that we will continue to fight for what is right,” she added.

Mercedita De Jesus, the mother of De Jesus, thanked their support group, attorneys, and the youth for being the source of their strength to continue waiting, searching, and fighting.

“Isang taon ng pilit kami namumuhay nang normal sa gitna ng isang abnormal na sitwasyon. Ilang pamilya pa ba ang makakaranas ng ganito na kawalan na ng tiwala sa mga taong dapat sana ay tagapagtanggol ng mamamayan?” she said.

“Kayong mga aktibista, ang boses ng ating lipunan. Kung hindi kayo magsasalita, kung hindi kayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos?” she added.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Capuyan, mother of Dexter, hoped to live longer, so that she could see her son alive and hug him.

In a press conference on May 10, 2023, human rights group Kalipunan Mamamayan sa Pilipinas (KATRIBU) confirmed that the two were abducted by men identifying themselves as agents of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The Cordilleran activists were last seen in Taytay, Rizal on April 28, 2023.