Last Seen:

March 30, 1991

Albay
NELSON PAJARA, 34, barangay councilor of Brgy. Mapaco, Guinobatan, Albay, was abducted by six armed men in military uniform.

Around 11:00 in the evening of 30 March 1991, while talking with some residents of the barangay near the dancing pavilion, several armed men in army uniforms approached them and pointed their firearms at him; he was ordered to fall to the ground face down.

Nelson's hands were tied behind his back, and he was forced to walk towards the nearby school building; from then on, he was not seen again.

A year before the abduction took place, Nelson was put under surveillance by elements of the military detachment in Mauraru, Guinobatan. Nelson went to the detachment in an attempt to clear himself of any record the military may have on him.  But, unfortunately, he was not allowed to go home and was brought to the army's Jovellar detachment for interrogation; he was detained for a week.

Nelson continued to be under military surveillance even after his release. A month before his abduction, military men came to his house. He was not home then, but Angelica was there and watched helplessly as the army men thoroughly searched the house looking for firearms. The military believed that Nelson was an NPA guerrilla.

To date, Nelson Pajara remains disappeared. His family awaits his return—they have not lost hope.

details about their circumstances.