Abua still missing, kin seek help from CHR

Karapatan Central Luzon sought for assistance from the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) on the recent enforced disappearance of peasant advocate and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) organizer Steve Abua.

Pia Montalban, Coordinator of Karapatan Gitnang Luzon, stated in a letter to CHR that Abua’s disappearance is a “grim reminder” of the continuous attacks, abductions and red-tagging against the people. 

“Abua’s disappearance is a grim reminder that abductions and enforced disappearances continue to this day against persons, including those vilified and tagged as ‘enemies of the state,” Montalban said.

The group also requested help from CHR to investigate and make accountable the perpetrators of the abduction and disappearance of Abua.

“We stand firm that no one should be denied of the right to liberty, freedom of movement, and due process. Violations of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, and enforced disapperance against persons should be investigated and made accountable soonest,” Montalban said.

The said letter was addressed to Commissioner Karen Dumpit dated last November 12.

On Steve’s Disappearance

The group also attached detailed information regarding the enforced disappearance of Steve Abua. 

Here is the timeline of events concerning Abua’s disappearance based on the report prepared by Karapatan. 

Steve Abua was last seen in the afternoon that day at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga on his way to Dinalupihan, Bataan to attend a meeting and he never reached the said destination.

At 11:08 pm, Steve’s wife received a call from an unidentified male person using Steve’s number that her husband was under their custody. 

She then dropped the call after not hearing her husband’s voice from the other line and texted his husband asking if he called. But there was no response.

The next day, at around 6:15 am, his family received another call from her husband but they knew it was not Steve speaking from the other line.

The callers said to Mrs. Abua that they have her husband and has asked her to convince him to talk so he could turn a new leaf.

They even warned his family not to “make a mistake of contacting other organizations, whether legal or illegal” should they want Abua alive. 

They even added that Steve is safe after his wife asked about his condition. She later asked them to let her speak with her husband. But the perpetrators told her that they will call her again at around 10 am.

At around 9:30 am, the caller sent a text message asking for the Facebook account of Steve’s wife and later on received a message request from a certain “Michelle Dela Cruz” and she was instructed that she cannot speak with her husband and that she could only look. Whereas, perpetrators allegedly said it was for confidentiality. 

Via Facebook Messenger, Mrs. Abua wearing a face mask was able to see her husband via video call which lasted for just 10 to 15 seconds where she saw her husband blindfolded, hands tied, and his mouth stuffed with cloth. 

After the video call, the perpetrators continued to contact Abua’s wife through text messages and phone calls insisting they repeat a video call with her face mask removed claiming that it was Steve’s request. 

The perpetrators continued to ask for other family members of Steve like their child and his parents but she refused and told them that she will be the one to contact them and that she will continue to cooperate with them as long as they keep her husband alive. 

Mrs. Abua also asked the perpetrators if she could meet her husband and she assured them that she is willing to change Steve’s mind. 

The perpetrators and Steve’s wife continued their talk regarding their plan to meet Steve. Later, she was told to go to the municipal hall of Dinalupihan, Bataan.

At 12:13, Mrs. Abua received another text message reminding her of their threat should Steve’s family break their agreement.

However, past 11 pm, organization Anakbayan Bataan posted an alert message regarding the disappearance of Steve Abua. 

And at about 12:25, Steve’s family received another text message from the perpetrators telling her that Anakbayan Bataan already know what happened and said that their agreement is over. 

Following that text message, Mrs. Abua clarified that she did not get help from them.

And she continued to exchange text messages with the perpetrators giving her instructions where to meet her husband Steve, and advising them that she plans to travel the next day, November 8. 

However, after acknowledging the instructions given by the perpetrators. She then asked again the conditions of her husband.

At 5:04 pm, she received the last message from Steve’s abductors stating that Mrs. Abua should trust them and that Steve is ok.

However, after the last text, Steve’s wife was not able to contact them and Steve’s phone remained out of reach. 

Steve’s wife has filed a missing person report at Lubao Municipal Police Station and Dinalupihan Police Station.

A quick response team had also started their team search for the whereabouts of Steve and they are also gathering information connected to his disappearance.