We Yearn for Freedom and Justice for James on his Birthday 1677 days - 4 years and 7 months.

James Balao, who turns 52 years old today became a victim of enforced disappearance in September 17, 2008. He was a founding member of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) which has been politically vilified as an enemy of the State, therefore a target for neutralization. In letters sent to his family prior to his abduction, he said that he feared for his and his familys safety.He received reliable information that they were under the surveillance of State security agents. James, 47 years old then, was abducted by State security agents in Tomay, La Trinidad Benguet under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and under the implementation of Operation Plan BantayLaya (Freedomwatch). Five armed men who claimed to be policemen dragged him into a white vehicle announcing that they were conducting an arrest and that James was being brought to the Philippine National Police Regional Headquarters Camp Dangwa. 1677 days passed. He has not been seen by his family, friends and colleagues since he was taken. As James continues to be deprived of his freedom and security, his family, friends and colleagues have been deprived of information on his whereabouts, condition, and plight. As the days add up, the uncertainty makes it more agonizing, and the search for him more difficult. During this length of time, his parents passed away without seeing him. The task of leaving no stone unturned in the search for him has been arduous. Misinformation about James whereabouts and condition has been irresponsibly thrown at his family, friends and colleagues in an effort to mislead the search for him. Last year, a certain Sgt. Maganto sent his family a message that he was among those killed in an armed encounter. The line of State security forces remain the same as they try to deny accountability for the enforced disappearance. Threats, mostly through sms, have even been issued against his siblings who have been dauntless in seeking for James. This year, two court hearings at the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 under Judge Humiding were held to compel the Philippine National Police Task Force Balao to report updates on their efforts to search for James. They have not provided helpful and concrete results as if there is no urgency in finding James. The cartographic

sketches they presented to the media as updates last year were merely computerized versions of the cartographic sketches of the abductors in 2008. These sketches were a result not of their efforts but through the courage of witnesses who came forward during the search made by James family together with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance and Cordillera Human Rights Alliance. The Balao family and the CHRA have been deeply disappointed with the continuing lack of sincere effort of the PNP to locate James. Each day that passes without him being found is proof to the continuing culture of impunity in the country. With these challenges, his family, friends and colleagues have been often asked, where do you get the strength to go on? Hope comes from the resilience of families who have suffered the same plight but continue to search for the missing. In a parallel case, the March 18, 2013 Court of Appeals decision holding the Philippine Army accountable for Jonas Burgos abduction provides more proof that the enforced disappearances in the country are part of State policy to subdue those critical against the government. The new pieces of evidence gathered in the Jonas Burgos case which were submitted to the Supreme Court last April 1 were gathered due to the persistence especially of his family to find him. Today marks the 1677th day of James enforced disappearance and he turns 52. We mark this day with paper cranes symbolic for freedom and justice, which we yearn for James on his birthday. We will continue to stand by the Balao family in the search for him. #