SAN Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza yesterday slammed what he dubbed as the persistent militarization in the Philippines.
In a Pastoral Statement for the Season of Creation 2023, Alminaza said the case of environmental activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano is a chilling reminder that militarization persists decades since Martial Law was lifted.
“The recent abduction of environmental activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano by state forces serves as a distressing reminder of the challenges we face,” said Alminaza.
“The reappearance of these two environmental activists and their public testimony of being abducted and coerced by the military shed light on the persistence of militarization, a legacy stretching from the era of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to the current administration of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.,” he added.
Castro and Tamano went missing in Orion, Bataan last September 2 while preparing for an outreach activity in communities affected by reclamation projects at Manila Bay.
The two later surfaced and claimed they were abducted by Army soldiers, adding they were forced to sign sworn affidavits stating they surrendered to the military.
The prelate said the incident only proves that state forces are the culprits in the “systematic abductions of activists across the nation.”
He added that the case is clear proof of the existence of a “fake surrender” scheme perpetrated by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“Perpetrators, including military and police officers, as well as officials of state institutions, such as the NTF-ELCAC and DND, involved in abductions and kidnappings, must be held accountable,” said Alminaza.
Going beyond the incident, the bishop said other “militaristic” activities in the national government, particularly in the education sector, must cease.
“The dismantling of the prevailing culture of ‘militarization’ within the AFP campaign machinery in our educational institutions, like ROTC, is imperative,” he said.
“The redirection of resources away from militaristic strategies, such as ‘intelligence funds,’ in civilian offices and functions, toward pressing national needs like education and healthcare, is a priority,” added Alminaza.
