Activist is 194th victim of 'enforced disappearances' - group

MANILA, Philippines - An activist who is said to have been abducted on May 15 in Pasig City appears to be the 194th victim of enforced disappearances under the Arroyo administration, a group said Monday. According to the group Desparecidos, the victim was a political consultant of the National Democratic Front for Cagayan Valley. He was identified as Randy Felix Malayao, 39, a volunteer worker, helping peasant communities in Isabela province. The group said that Malayao, the youngest son of the late Felix Malayao, former Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director in Isabela, was abducted on Thursday night while on his way to a relative’s place in Pasig City. He had just had dinner with friends in the Ortigas area. Malayao was reportedly aboard a taxi when he sent his last text message to his relatives that “someone is tailing me." Malayao failed to reach home that night and remained missing to this day, according to his eldest brother, Isidro, a former San Pablo, Isabela councilor. “He has been missing for few days and nights now. We are very worried for his safety and condition," Isidro said. Raymund Villanueva, former colleague of the victim at the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and former secretary general of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), said they have reasons to believe that a military unit could be responsible for the abduction of Malayao. Villanueva claimed that they received reports that a high-ranking official of the military earlier issued a “warning" against Malayao over a radio station in Isabela. Villanueva said the military suspect that Malayao works for an “underground organization." Villanueva believed that the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Isabela might have something to do with the disappearance of Malayao. “Being a Fisheries-degree holder, he decided to do volunteer works to help several basic sectoral organizations, mostly peasant organizations, in Isabela," said Villanueva, a childhood friend of Malayao. “I have never known him to have enemies," he added. Desaparecidos said Malayao is the 194th victim of enforced disappearance under the Arroyo administration. “The families of the disappeared are behind the Malayao family in the search for Randy and in calling on the authorities to surface him. He should have his day in court as any Filipino should," said Lorena Santos, national secretariat member of the Desaparecidos. - GMANews.TV