Press Statement | September 13, 2013

Reference: Lorena Santos, Secretary General, Desaparecidos, 0918-9790580

A thousand paper cranes from around the world for James Balao
We will find James. This is what Arthur Balao hoped for before he passed away in 2010. James, Arthur's loving son, will be found someday. This is also what all the families of desaparecidos or victims of enforced disappearances are hoping for-that their missing loved ones will find their way home; a hope that will remain after years of searching, and despite the government's inaction and ineptness. Today, the Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (Desaparecidos) remember James Moy Balao, an indigenous people's rights activist who was abducted five years ago at La Trinidad, Benguet. Born on April 19, 1961, James was the eldest son of Arthur and Jane of Atok, La Trinidad, Benguet. James graduated from the University of the Philippines-Baguio with a double degree on BS Psychology and Economics. He was among the pioneers of the Cordillera People's Alliance and worked for the Alliances research and documentation projects, information dissemination campaigns, organizing and support building during CPA's first years. James headed the CPA's Education Commission where he assisted various CPA rural formations in research and education needs. In 1994-1997, he worked at the Ifugao Research and Development Center and studied the situation of Ifugao peasants. He was among those who helped establish the Ifugao Peasant Leaders' Forum. With all his contributions to the Cordillera peoples struggle, the Philippine government abducted James rather than heed to the call of the Igorots struggle for their right to ancestral land and selfdetermination. During his five years of disappearance, James' parents died without seeing him again. Within the five years, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Law was enacted. Yet, James and other desaparecidos are still missing, and perpetrators unpunished; James' case in court has yet to be resolved. Enforced disappearances continue and there are now 17 victims under the Aquino government. Today, we put together all thousand paper cranes for James Balao. Let all the paper cranes, made from around the world, send a loud message to the Aquino government to SURFACE JAMES BALAO. Let us not forget James Balao, researcher, writer, and above all a defender of the people's rights. SURFACE JAMES MOY BALAO! SURFACE ALL DESAPARECIDOS! Stop enforced disappearances.

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