Philippines: Further information on enforced disappearance: James Balao

Philippines: Further information on enforced disappearance: James Balao

Index Number: ASA 35/001/2009
Date Published: 23 January 2009
Categories: Philippines

On 19 January 2009, the Regional Trial Court in La Trinidad, Benguet province, ruled that the authorities must disclose the whereabouts of abducted Indigenous people's rights activist James Balao immediately. However, the ruling does not grant permission for his relatives and their representatives to inspect places of detention where he may be held, nor does it compel the authorities to hand over documents relating to his case, or offer protection to those who witnessed his abduction.