CRIMINAL charges have been filed against two environmental activists who accused Army soldiers of abducting them during a government-organized press conference when they were supposed to say they surrendered to authorities.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced yesterday the filing of perjury and grave oral defamation against the two during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
Teodoro said it’s up to government procedures to decide on the cases lodged against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, who the military said are members of the communist New People’s Army.
“We have already filed charges against these two and I was informed that subpoenas have already been issued against them for preliminary investigation for perjury and (grave oral defamation),” said Teodoro.
“I reviewed the case personally and I am convinced that they are liable,” added Teodoro.
The two yielded to the military on September 2 in Orion, Bataan. They executed affidavits saying they surrendered to the Philippine Army after leftist groups alleged Castro and Tamano were abducted by soldiers.
On September 19, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict presented Castro and Tamano at a press conference in Bulacan, where they were supposed to say they voluntarily surrendered to the military and dispel allegations of their abduction.
To the surprise of the NTF-ELCAC, Castro and Tamano instead claimed they were abducted by soldiers. They also said they were threatened by the military into signing the affidavits.
Teodoro said the charges against Castro and Tamano were filed about two weeks ago.
“We already filed them two weeks ago without media fanfare. I said (before) we would do it and we did it. Now, it’s up to the prosecutors already. They (Castro and Tamano) will be given due process,” said Teodoro.
