Progressive groups in Davao City protested on April 9 to demand anew the surfacing of Southern Mindanao labor leader William Lariosa, who remains disappeared. Lariosa was last seen in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon on April 10, 2024, where he was abducted by 48th IB elements.

Lariosa was a veteran organizer for the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). Since the 1990s, he had organized workers in pineapple and sugar plantations across Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and parts of Bukidnon.

Lariosa’s family, friends, and colleagues continue to search for him two years after his disappearance. The Surface William Lariosa Network (SWLN) leads the campaign to surface Lariosa and hold accountable those responsible for his abduction. The group also condemned the US-Marcos regime for its continuing attacks on workers and labor organizers.

Lariosa’s family filed a writ of amparo last year before the Supreme Court and sought help from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

“We must further intensify the struggle so William’s family can attain justice and those guilty of his enforced disappearance are made accountable,” KMU said.