The Court of Appeals awarded the writs of amparo and habeas data to the family of Felix Salaveria Jr this July, marking a significant victory for families, friends, and human rights organizations.
“Any win for our side is a light of hope in a seemingly endless dark tunnel. We hope and pray everyday that we will be reunited with our father!” Salaveria’s children Felicia and Gabreyel Ferrer said.
Plainclothes men abducted the 66-year-old cyclist and indigenous people’s rights advocate Salaveria in Tabaco City, Albay on August 28, 2024. Passersby witnessed the incident which was captured on a CCTV. His friend James Jazmines was abducted in the same manner five days earlier.
The writ of amparo shields life and liberty from the shadows of abuse, while the writ of habeas data defends dignity through the protection of truth and privacy. Together, they form the people’s armor against tyranny.
The court ordered the preservation and release of all important military and other documents filed by the family to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other agencies investigating the case. The respondents must conduct a serious, effective, and thorough investigation into Salaveria’s disappearance, and the CHR must conduct a parallel investigation.
According to the court’s review, the Philippine National Police (PNP) failed to properly investigate the case and did not exercise the required extraordinary diligence, making the police responsible and accountable for Salaveria’s continuing disappearance.
“The court’s ruling is a major step forward, but the fight is far from over,” the family’s lawyer Atty. Ben Galil Te, stated.
“Even as the State continues to evade responsibility and hide the truth, our clients are determined to pursue justice—not only to surface Felix but to hold all those involved accountable, even those in the highest levels of government,” Atty. Te added.
The family’s lawyers from La Vina Zarate & Associate first filed the writs of amparo and habeas data at the Supreme Court on November 14, 2024. The court issued the writs in January, favoring Salaveria.
