Looking for James Balao

LETTER

Greetings!

Last August 30, we marked the International Day of the Disappeared. So there is such a day.

My brother was abducted on September 17 of last year. That's how many days to count from today to mark one year of his enforced disappearance. No other than the military took him. They robbed him of his human rights.

They brutally picked him up and pointed guns at him. It has been one long year of searching and exhausting all efforts to find him. Perhaps, I and my siblings show signs of happiness and laugh - mere stages where we sometimes don't think of James, but in our hearts is a wound cut so deep and is not healing. James Balao is my brother, our brother.

He is a son, uncle and a friend to many. He, too, is a cousin to thousands and a nephew to hundreds of uncles and aunts. We are all looking for James. We want him to be returned to us safe, healthy and well.

We continue to appeal to the public, to the reader of this letter, to inform us if you've seen James or have heard of his whereabouts. To the rest of the military men, who still believe that they should protect the rights of the people, maybe you can help us find him.

James is among hundreds who disappeared since GMA held power. Imagine how many families, not only mine, are suffering. So much grief, tears, anger... Isn't that enough already? GMA said in one report saw that there will be a stop to enforced disappearances. She lied.

Many families are affected of her fascist policy Operation Plan Bantay Laya. Can she sleep at night knowing her men are executing what she has ordered them as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Does she even have a feeling, compassion? Does she have virtues or honor? She vowed to protect the rights of all citizens. How can she do this to us?

As September 17 nears, I would like to remind her of the sanctity of life and human rights. These are violated by her policy Operation Plan Bantay Laya which justifies the killing and enforced disappearance of anyone critical of her rule - any activist, any journalist, organizer.

It is blatant, it is obvious, it is she and her military doing these deeds, yet they deny it. Proof is everywhere, it has even reached the highest courts, yet they stall justice and they continue to deny accountability.

The climate of impunity will not stop us from seeking justice. My family and the Desaparecidos - We want our love ones back home with us - safe and well. As we continue to draw strength from each other, we will relentlessly continue to search for our loved ones and justice.

Sincerely,

Joni Balao-Strugar
Youngest sister of James Balao