UP concerned over missing alumni, urges gov’t to uphold their rights

The University of the Philippines on Sunday expressed "grave concern" over the disappearance of three of its alumni and another individual, urging the government to ensure their safety and uphold their constitutional rights.

In a statement, the UP System said that the three—Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus and Dexter Capuyan of UP Baguio, and Patricia Nicole Cierva of UP Manila—have recently gone missing.

"De Jesus and Capuyan are known indigenous peoples’ rights activists, while Cierva and her companion Cedrick Casaño are peasant and youth organizers," UP said.

In a statement on May 27, UP Manila said that Cierva, a Development Studies alumna at its College of Arts and Sciences, and Casaño were "reportedly taken" by an alleged army brigade in Barangay Cabiraoan, Gonzaga town, Cagayan earlier that month.

De Jesus and Capuyan, meanwhile, were reportedly taken in Taytay, Rizal in April.

In its statement, UP Manila also condemned red-tagging and threats against its teachers, students and alumni, urging others to join the call for the activists to be surfaced. — BM, GMA Integrated News