The commission of the global phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearance remains unabated in the Philippines. Since involuntary disappearance is not yet considered a crime under Philippine laws, the 15 cases filed in court by some families with the assistance of FIND are lodged as kidnapping, murder or serious illegal detention or a combination of the last two offenses. The case of the PICOP Six in Trento, Agusan del Sur was favorably resolved on July 18, 2008 after eight long years. FIND has also supported the filing of petitions for writ of habeas corpus as well as petitions for writ of amparo by families of recent victims. The anti-disappearance bills pending before the Philippine Congress seek to define and penalize the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance.
The commission of the global phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearance remains unabated in the Philippines. Since involuntary disappearance is not yet considered a crime under Philippine laws, the 15 cases filed in court by some families with the assistance of FIND are lodged as kidnapping, murder or serious illegal detention or a combination of the last two offenses. The case of the PICOP Six in Trento, Agusan del Sur was favorably resolved on July 18, 2008 after eight long years. FIND has also supported the filing of petitions for writ of habeas corpus as well as petitions for writ of amparo by families of recent victims. The anti-disappearance bills pending before the Philippine Congress seek to define and penalize the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance.
We support the immediate enactment of the proposed Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2011 and the signing and ratification by the Philippine Government of the United Nations International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPAPED).
