On November 28, 2025, Gary Buban, a researcher and agriculturist, disappeared. Prior to his disappearance, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NFT-ELCAC) had “red-tagged” Buban, publicly labeling him a communist or terrorist.

Buban was last seen in the province of Camarines Sur while conducting research for Damayan nin Paraoma, a local farmers’ organization. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and to rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, “red-tagged” individuals often face violence, harassment, threats, or disappearances shortly after being named.

At the time of writing, Buban had not been found.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the disappearance of a researcher. State authorities should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of scholars, students, and staff, including by investigating and holding perpetrators of such acts responsible, in line with international human rights standards. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, the disappearance of scholars creates a chilling effect and undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.karapatan.org/media_release/karapatan-abolish-ntf-elcac/
https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/12/05/groups-renew-call-to-abolish-ntf-elcac-junk-confidential-funds/
https://davaotoday.com/headline/abolish-ntf-elcac-says-rights-group-ahead-of-hr-day/
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/01/17/philippines-end-deadly-red-tagging-activists
https://www.amnesty.org.ph/campaigns/anti-terrorism-and-hr/red-tagging/
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Countries/PH/Philippines-HRC44-AEV.pdf