Labor Groups Rally for Justice on Second Anniversary of Organizer's Disappearance
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, labor and progressive groups gathered at Freedom Park for a protest marking the second year since the enforced disappearance of labor organizer William Lariosa. The demonstration, organized by the Surface William Lariosa Network (SWLN) and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)–Southern Mindanao, called for justice and accountability in his case, while also highlighting broader human rights issues in the Philippines.
Details of the Disappearance and Allegations
William Lariosa, a 64-year-old organizer with Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), was reportedly abducted on April 10, 2024, in Purok Sunny Day, Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon. At the time, he was working with agricultural laborers. Since the 1990s, Lariosa had been actively organizing workers in pineapple and sugarcane plantations across regions including Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and parts of Bukidnon.
Rauf Sissay, a secretariat member of BAYAN–Southern Mindanao, alleged that Lariosa was taken by elements of the 48th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 10th Infantry Division. To date, his whereabouts remain unknown, fueling ongoing demands for his surfacing and resolution of the case.
Broader Human Rights and Labor Concerns
During the protest, sectoral representatives raised significant human rights concerns, linking Lariosa's case to wider issues in the country. Sissay criticized the government's promises under the 'Bagong Pilipinas' initiative, stating that since President Bongbong Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022, the situation for workers and the poor has not improved but has instead worsened. He emphasized that the Philippines has remained among the top 10 worst countries for workers for nine consecutive years, reflecting a continued neglect of labor rights despite official pronouncements.
Legal Efforts and Family's Determination
The groups involved in the protest have sought assistance from various government agencies, including the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Labor and Employment. They have also filed petitions in courts, up to the Supreme Court, in pursuit of remedies and protection for Lariosa's family and colleagues. However, they report that no significant progress has been made in the case.
Dodong Lariosa, the son of the missing organizer, expressed the family's unwavering determination to seek justice. He stated, 'Despite the pain we have endured, we will not stop searching for him and seeking justice.' The family continues to pursue all legal avenues and is currently awaiting the resolution of their petition before the Supreme Court. Dodong added, 'We have not lost hope that one day we will find him and be with him again.'
Ongoing Calls for Accountability
As the search for William Lariosa continues, his family and supporting groups remain hopeful that he is still alive. They are intensifying calls for accountability and justice, not only for Lariosa but also for other victims of enforced disappearance in the Philippines. The protest at Freedom Park served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles for human rights and labor justice in the country.
