Some disturbing news out of the Philippines... Los Angeles-based Filipino American activist Melissa Roxas, a member of BAYAN-USA and the cultural group Habi Arts, was abducted in Manila on May 19 -- most likely by the military -- but resurfaced yesterday, nearly a week later: Missing Fil-Am activist surfaces after 7 days.
Roxas was abducted last May 19 at around 1:30 pm in Sitio Bagong Sikat, Bgy. Kapanikian, La Paz, Tarlac. She was with two other volunteers, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc. Based on reports, she and her companions were taken by at least 8 fully-armed, bonnet-clad men on board two motorcycles and a Besta van without any plate numbers.
Her companions, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, still remain unaccounted for. This is apparently the first case of a Filipino American activist to be abducted by suspected state security forces. A detailed account on where she was taken, what happened to her during her abduction, and how she resurfaced are still forthcoming.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan is still calling on the Arroyo government, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the immediate release of Carabeo and Handoc: MELISSA ROXAS' SURFACING A VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE, BUT THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR CARABEO & HANDOC
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