Activists Jhed, Jonila seek writ of amparo, protection vs. Army, officials

Two environment activists earlier reported missing have filed a petition for a writ of amparo and protection orders against several government officials before the Supreme Court.

In a 37-page petition, Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, asked the High Tribunal to issue a writ of amparo and a writ of habeas data in their favor as well as to immediately issue a temporary protection order.

Named as respondents were Lieutenant Colonel Ronnel Dela Cruz and members of the 70th Infantry Battalion, Police Captain Carlito Buco and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bataan, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The activists also asked the Court to declare the respondents as the ones responsible for their disappearance and alleged illegal detention.

Further, they sought a production order against all respondents to produce all documents that contain evidence in relation to the petition.

They also asked the SC to enjoin the respondents from disseminating their personal information and to direct the respondents to produce any information in their possession.

GMA News Online sought comment from the Philippine Army, the PNP, and the NTF-ELCAC but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

The NTF-ELCAC earlier said the two surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion (70IB) in Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan province on September 12.

Days after, they were presented at a press conference of the NTF-ELCAC to debunk the claims of abductions.

However, the activists said they were indeed abducted.

Tamano and Castro reiterated this in their petition.

“To stress, Petitioners' obtaining circumstances show the urgent need for the issuance of a writ of amparo in their favor, without which petitioners continue to be insecure as well as at risk,” the petition read.

“Respondents know where they and their parents live; respondents are aware of their telephone numbers,” it added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News