đź“· On March 24, human rights defenders presented the findings of the Search and Humanitarian Mission for Lumad youth leader Michelle Campos and her three companions and missing Lumad leader Genasque Enriquez. (Katribu | FB)
Katribu, Tanggol Magsasaka, Karapatan, Agham, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and the Union of Peoples Lawyers in Mindanao conducted a search and humanitarian mission from March 10 to 12, 2025 in Agusan del Sur and surrounding areas. The mission aimed to look into the situation of arrested Lumad leader Michelle Campos and her companions and to search for another missing Lumad leader, Genasque Enriquez.
According to Campos, she and three others were arrested at 10:00 PM on March 5 by the 3rd Special Forces Battalion under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army. They were then admitted to the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Brgy. Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Despite repeated attempts, the military initially denied her family, legal counsel, and rights workers access to visit Campos. The humanitarian team secured a visit only after persistent assertions of Michelle’s rights to be visited.
However, even during these visits, the military personnel who were stationed in and around Michelle’s ward continued their harassment, intimidation, and surveillance. They took photos of private individuals including Michelle’s family and refused to allow privacy which intimidated and obstructed the work of rights workers and the legal counsel. Meanwhile, military officials and personnel freely and repeatedly visit Michelle.
Michelle was not presented with a warrant of arrest at the time of her apprehension. It was only served when she was already in the hospital. She is facing multiple trumped-up charges, including murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder.
Michelle Campos is a Lumad youth leader and the daughter of Dionel Campos, a victim of the 2015 Lianga Massacre. She has led campaigns for justice and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
The humanitarian team also searched for Genasque Enriquez, who was last seen on March 2 in Los Arcos, Surigao del Sur. As part of their efforts, the team submitted inquiry forms to multiple military camps and police stations regarding his whereabouts. The Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Station accepted the form, but Camp Bancasi of the 402nd Infantry Brigade responded with hostility and intimidation. The 401st Infantry Brigade outright refused to accept or acknowledge the inquiry form, resorting to deliberate delaying tactics and refusing to cooperate in any way. This blatant obstruction is a direct violation of Republic Act No. 10353, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act, which mandates all agencies—including military camps, police stations, and hospitals—to acknowledge and respond to such inquiries.
Genasque Enriquez, a Lumad leader, led campaigns to protect ancestral lands from destructive mining and exposed rights violations against Indigenous Peoples. He served as secretary-general of Lumad organization Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon (KASALO) and was the 2nd nominee of Katribu Partylist in 2010 and 2013.
“Michelle Campos and her three companions must be free from military custody. Under no circumstances should they be transferred to military camps after their recovery in the hospital,” Beverly Longid, National Convener of Katribu, said. “If any charges have been filed, they must be handled through civilian legal processes, not military detention.
Katribu also demands the immediate surfacing of Genasque Enriquez. Already more than 2 weeks since his disappearance, authorities must fulfill their obligations under the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act to acknowledge inquiries and provide information on his whereabouts.
“The ongoing harassment, intimidation, and enforced disappearances targeting Indigenous leaders must end,” said Longid. “Michelle and Genasque have dedicated their lives to defending their people’s right to self-determination and ancestral lands — they must not be punished for standing up against corporate and state encroachment. We demand justice, accountability, and their immediate freedom.” #
