Pedaling for Justice: Advocates Demand Safe Return of Missing Cycling Activists
To raise awareness about their disappearance and call for their safe return, cycling advocates organized a protest bike ride from the Memorial Park of Heroes and Martyrs of Marcos Dictatorship to Bacl
Manila, Philippines – On the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, advocates for human rights, climate justice, and Indigenous peoples' rights gathered in Quezon City to demand the safe and immediate return of Felix Salaveria Jr. and James Jazmines, two cycling activists who were forcibly disappeared.
Felix Salaveria Jr. was abducted by men in police uniforms from his home in Tabaco, Albay, Bicol Region, on August 28, 2024. James Jazmines was also taken under similar circumstances a few days prior. Both activists are known for their work in promoting sustainable transportation, protecting the environment, and upholding the rights of Indigenous communities.
To raise awareness about their disappearance and call for their safe return, cycling advocates organized a protest bike ride from the Memorial Park of Heroes and Martyrs of Marcos Dictatorship to Baclaran Church. The ride coincided with the anniversary of Martial Law, a dark period in Philippine history when civil liberties were suppressed and thousands of people were killed or disappeared.
At Baclaran Church, friends and relatives of the missing activists held a program to commemorate their lives and express their unwavering hope for their safe return. Human rights advocates also staged protests in Manila City to mark the 52nd anniversary of Martial Law and to highlight the ongoing threats to human rights in the Philippines.
The disappearance of Felix Salaveria Jr. and James Jazmines is a stark reminder of the continuing dangers faced by activists and human rights defenders in the country. Their families and supporters are calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into their cases and to take immediate steps to ensure their safe return.