2 missing environment activists in gov't custody —NTF-ELCAC

The two reported missing environment activists have "surrendered" to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion (70IB), the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Friday.

In a video played in a press conference, the NTF-ELCAC said that Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, yielded to authorities in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan on September 12.

National Security Security (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said Tamano and Castro are in good condition.

“Kung makikita po ninyo sa mga footages na ipinakita namin, mismong CHR ay nakipag-usap doon sa dalawang batang iyon at sila po ay nasa mabuting kalagayan,” Malaya said.

(You can see in the footage, the CHR talked to Tamano and Castro and they are in good condition.)

According to the NTF-ELCAC, the two activists were linked to the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA).

Bataan Provincial Police Office public information office chief Police Captain Carlito Buco Jr. said the two decided to surrender to authorities on September 6.

They asked for help from an acquaintance who picked them and brought them to Guagua, Pampanga. Their acquaintance communicated with another person who contacted the authorities.

“Nag-extend na ng tulong o assistance itong 70th IB at sinundo na itong sina Jhed at Jonila sa Guagua, Pampanga. At sa ngayon ay nasa mabuting pangangalaga na po sila,” he said.

(The 70th IB gave assistance and picked up Jhed and Jonila in Guagua, Pampanga. Now they are in good hands.)

Progressive youth organization Anakbayan earlier called for the immediate surfacing of two reported missing fisherfolk organizers.

On September 6, Anakbayan national spokesperson Kate Almenzo claimed that the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the NTF-ELCAC were behind the abduction.

The NTF-ELCAC denied the allegations.

The two environmentalists reportedly went missing in Orion, Bataan on September 2.

In an earlier statement, the CHR said it has dispatched a quick response operation through its Central Luzon office to probe the disappearance.

The two women were reported volunteers of anti-reclamation network “Akap Ka Manila Bay” and were assessing the conditions of the fishing communities in the coastal towns of North Manila Bay who were affected by the reclamation projects.—LDF, GMA Integrated News