MANILA, Philippines – The family of William Lariosa, a labor organizer who vanished in 2024, welcomed a Supreme Court order directing military respondents to comment on their petition for review on certiorari.
In a resolution dated July 8, the High Court directed several Philippine Army units — including the 48th Infantry Battalion, 60th Infantry Battalion and 10th Infantry Division — to submit their comments on the family’s petition.
“The main purpose of elevating the case to the Supreme Court is to find accountability for my father’s whereabouts,” said Marklen Lariosa, the labor organizer’s son.
The family viewed the legal action as a form of protection amid concerns for their safety.
He considered the Supreme Court resolution a welcome development because it did not immediately reject or deny their petition.
“Regarding the recently released resolution, we are thankful because it’s a good development for the case. Our family hopes the case will move forward,” Marklen told Davao Today.
Lariosa, who was reported missing on April 24, 2024, in Quezon, Bukidnon, has not been located. His family and support groups allege that elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines operating in the area were involved in his disappearance.
As of now, the family still has received no information about Lariosa’s whereabouts, Marklen said, adding they continue to hope to find out whether he is still alive or has died.
The family filed the petition with the Supreme Court in October 2025 after the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court in Bukidnon denied their petitions for the writs of habeas corpus, habeas data and amparo.
The legal action seeks to compel state forces, particularly the military units named as respondents, to produce or surface Lariosa. The family hopes the Supreme Court will find the evidence sufficient and rule in their favor.
“Hopefully, the Supreme Court will see how sufficient the evidence we presented, then they will decide in favor of our side and will see what really happened, and we also hope that our judiciary system will not be biased,” Marklen said.
The Surface William Lariosa Network (SWLN) also welcomed the Supreme Court’s action, saying it remains “vigilant and steadfast” in pursuing legal remedies and advancing its campaign to find Lariosa.
Karapatan-Southern Mindanao said the directive for respondents to comment is part of the judicial process and will allow the court to consider the respondents’ side before deciding on the petition.
Significance of the petition
“The significance of the comment is for the Supreme Court to weigh on the decision if they will grant the petition, hearing the side of the respondents,” the rights group said.
Karapatan-SMR disclosed that the Commission on Human Rights conducted an independent investigation into the case. The family and support groups are also awaiting developments at the prosecution level, though some details remain confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Beyond the legal arena, the SWLN continues to campaign in communities and schools to raise awareness about Lariosa and enforced disappearances.
Desaparecidos Philippines also campaigns for Lariosa among cases of enforced disappearance documented under the Marcos Jr. administration.
Karapatan-SMR said it hopes the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the family, which could help pressure the military respondents to surface Lariosa and address allegations concerning his disappearance. (davaotoday.com)
