A Mother's Endless Search: Love Beyond the Unknown

Text by Mye Mulingtapang

Photos Courtesy of Dittz de Jesus

With each passing day, Dittz De Jesus clings to hope, longing for the son who vanished without a trace held by unseen hands, lost in the shadows of uncertainty, but never forgotten in a mother’s heart.

On April 28, 2023, a brief message from Bazoo lit up his family’s group chat. Days earlier, he had celebrated his 27th birthday with them in Malolos, Bulacan. His mother, Dittz de Jesus, an OFW in Bologna, Italy replied, "Ciao," but never received another response. By the next morning, concern turned into fear. A call from his sister, Hydee, confirmed the worst—Bazoo was missing. He had not returned home, nor to his friend’s house, nor to his office in Quezon City, where he occasionally stayed overnight. His absence was alarming, especially since he had taken a two-day leave to renew his passport at the DFA office at SM North Edsa on April 27. Then, without warning, his social media presence ceased.

Bazoo was the Information and Networking Officer of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous People's Rights (PTFIP). His abduction occurred shortly after their week-long Cordillera Day program—a chilling coincidence that his family cannot ignore.

The Ongoing Struggle

Two days after his disappearance, the truth began to surface. Bazoo had been taken alongside Igorot human rights defender Dexter Capuyan, presumably by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Taytay, Rizal. A tricycle driver, the only known witness, had unknowingly transported them to their captors.

His mother returned to the Philippines on May 7, 2023, leaving her husband in Italy to seek assistance elsewhere. The distress and uncertainty took a devastating toll on her mental health. The mere thought of her son being tortured or abandoned in an unknown location haunted her relentlessly. The grief was unbearable—so much so that she contemplated walking away from everything: work, responsibilities, and community service.

After spending over a month in the Philippines, she returned to Italy. A friend recommended a Filipina psychologist from the UK, A. Martinez, whose therapy sessions became a lifeline. Weekly counseling helped her and her husband navigate their anguish, teaching them to heal in small, painful steps.

A Systemic Battle for Justice

The disappearance of Bazoo has left an indelible scar on his family. They live in constant fear, subjected to red-tagging and online harassment from those who dismiss their activism as justification for his fate.

Justice in the Philippines is an agonizingly slow process. In August 2023, the Supreme Court granted their petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, yet the first hearing was stalled when respondents failed to appear. When they finally did, representatives from the AFP, PNP, CIDG, and PNP Taytay denied any involvement. Weeks later, the court dismissed their plea, citing a lack of evidence to identify those responsible for the disappearance.

Undeterred, they filed a new petition. This time, the court granted their requests for the Writs of Habeas Data and Amparo. 

Their legal battle continues with the support of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and renowned attorneys Antonio La Viña and Carlos Zarate.

Keeping Bazoo’s Memory Alive

Despite the uncertainty, Bazoo’s family remains steadfast in their fight. They continue to demand accountability, amplifying their call to surface both Bazoo and Dexter through social media and international organizations such as Amnesty International and the International People’s Tribunal. Universities, school publications, and artists have lent their voices, producing articles, poems, songs, and zines dedicated to them.

For Dittz, writing has become both an outlet and a weapon. As a lifelong poet, she never imagined channeling her grief into words. Now, every 28th of the month, she writes a poem for Bazoo. She composes verses before sleeping, during bus rides, lunch breaks—any moment her heart urges her to speak to him. Through poetry, she preserves his presence, refusing to let the world forget.

The Bond of Mothers Seeking Justice

Through this journey, she has found strength in solidarity. She met Editha Burgos, mother of Jonas Burgos, who was abducted 18 years ago. Inspired by Editha’s resilience, she joined the Desaparecidos Group, standing alongside other grieving families in the relentless pursuit of justice.

Human rights organizations have been instrumental in their fight. Upon her arrival in the Philippines, KARAPATAN National organized a press conference with the Commission on Human Rights and major media outlets. Groups such as the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, and Sandugo have stood with them at rallies and hearings. Even overseas, migrant communities, journalists, and activists continue to amplify their cause.

Love Beyond the Unknown

Dittz’ bond with Bazoo transcends time, space, and uncertainty. While she remains committed to her family and community, her heart aches for the son stolen from her.

Each day, she moves forward, balancing her responsibilities with the never-ending fight for justice. She finds joy in her grandson, Knyte, in her daughter, Hydee, and in the love of her husband, Gene. But the void left by Bazoo will never be filled. She refuses to let his memory fade. "I will always keep talking about my son," she says. "He deserves to be remembered. Always."

“I am not yet healed. I could still feel the hate for those who abducted my son. Tears still flow from my eyes every time I think of him and and my voice still quiver when I talk about the abduction. Our hearts are entwined, as mother and son, and that couldn’t be broken.”

During the day, Dittz tries to be perfectly fine. She can work for hours or accomplish all the programs and activities in their community. But when the thought of Bazioo suddenly fills her mind, she becomes the mother again—seeking justice for her son, missing him, and reminiscing about the moments they shared. 

She still hopes that he will resurface one day, remaining resilient despite the growing feeling of emptiness. She knows she must continue to laugh and talk, play her part in the family and community. 

“As a mother, when you lose someone, it changes your life forever. It is not something you can get over with, move on and forget. The loss is really a part of who you are. Bazoo, my Hadji, will always occupy that big and special part in my heart. I will always keep on talking about my son. He deserves to be remembered always”.