TWO activists earlier reported missing said they were abducted by soldiers in Bataan earlier this month and were forced to say they surrendered to authorities.
Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano made the remarks yesterday during a press conference organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) at the town hall of Plaridel, Bulacan.
The task force arranged the press conference to debunk earlier claims by leftist groups the two were abducted by government forces in Orion, Bataan last September 2 while engaged in relief operations and consultations with residents.
Castro is a community volunteer for Akap Ka Manila Bay, which is opposed to reclamation projects at Manila Bay, while Tamano is a coordinator of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum’s community and church program for Manila Bay.
Last Saturday, the NTF-ELCAC issued a statement saying Castro and Tamano had executed sworn affidavits to prove they surrendered and were not abducted. The task force said allegations about their abduction were an “elaborate hoax.”
To the surprise of the NTF-ELCAC, Castro and Tamano said during the press conference, streamed live on the task force’s Facebook page, that they were abducted by the military.
“The truth is we were abducted by military (personnel) on board a van. We were forced to surrender because we were threatened. That’s the truth,” said Castro in Filipino.
Castro said she and Tamano didn’t want to be in the custody of the military, referring to the Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion which facilitated their supposed surrender.
Castro said the statements in their sworn statements were not true, noting the affidavits were signed inside a military camp. She said they had no other option but to sign the affidavits
Castro said they are opposed to the reclamation projects at Manila Bay because fishermen will be losing their livelihood.
Tamano said: “Like what Jonila said, it’s not true that we voluntarily surrendered because we were forced (into surrendering).”
Tamano said she and Castro were walking on the night of September 2 in Orion when the suspects, on board a vehicle, abducted them. She said they initially thought their abductors were members of a syndicate.
Lt. Col. Ronnel dela Cruz, 70th IB commander, said an informant arranged the surrender of Castro and Tamano to the Bulacan-based battalion since the two are from Plaridel.
Dela Cruz maintained the two surrendered, adding they “went through a correct process.” He said Castro and Tamano executed their sworn statements in the presence of their lawyer.
But Castro said Dela Cruz cannot claim he is not aware of their abduction, adding the soldiers who abducted her and Tamano admitted they were members of the 70th IB.
NTF-ELCAC Secretariat director Alexander Umpar, during the press conference, said the task force is standing by the report of the military that Castro and Tamano surrendered and were not abducted.
“We stand by what the AFP and the PNP for that matter said about this incident,” said Umpar.
The event press conference was graced by Plaridel Mayor Jocell Vistan, who assured the two of assistance.
‘APPALLED’
In a statement, the NTF-ELCAC said it was “appalled as we are deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events” that Castro and Tamano “parroted the propaganda lines of leftist groups on their supposed abduction by security forces.”
“We felt betrayed,” the task force added, noting the press conference was organized “with only the best of intentions in mind for the said youths.”
The task force said it stands by the account of the 70th IB that Castro and Tamano surrendered.
“Whatever caused their sudden change of heart is beyond us. Earlier engagements by Task Force officials with the two students regarding the veracity and truthfulness of their affidavits were convincing enough to merit their public appearance,” NTF-ELCAC said.
“We were hoodwinked. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in ensuring the safety of the two and committed to upholding their rights as individuals under any circumstances,” it said.
It said the press conference was held “with a tremendous amount of good faith, notwithstanding the unimaginable outcome of the same.
“If their intention was to humiliate the NTF-ELCAC and those who trusted them despite the good faith we have shown, we shall remain unfazed and committed to fulfilling our mandate for the greater good of the people and of the country,” the task force said, adding it is leaving to the wisdom of its “legal eagles as to how to proceed from here.
“Rest assured that the NTF-ELCAC remains committed to continue to tread the path of unity, peace and development at all costs and that Ms. Tamano and Ms. Castro’s safety and well-being are of primordial importance,” it added.
‘PEER PRESSURE’
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday suggested that “peer pressure” may have caused the two “missing” environmental activists to deny that they surrendered to authorities, instead claiming they were abducted by the military.
Remulla blamed peer pressure for their turn-around, adding the government has nothing to gain by violating the law.
“What I see is that there are youths who cannot resist peer pressure. They are afraid to fight or to refuse the pressure of their peers, that’s why they are forced to do and say these things.
“If there is any truth to it, good luck. I hope that we can help these people if indeed harm was done to them but I think this was more of a pressure since their family, the parents actually, did not raise hell on this matter. Only the political groups are making noises,” he added.
Remulla said the government has nothing to gain by violating the law.
“I think it is very clear to all of us that we do not want to violate the law as government officials,” he said, adding the DOJ will nevertheless look at the claims of abduction raised by Tamano and Castro.
“We will find out who is telling the truth,” Remulla said. — With Ashzel Hachero
