2 missing environment advocates found 'bruised but alive' —fact-finding team

The missing environmental activists earlier reported abducted in San Carlos City, Pangasinan have been found, a fact-finding team formed by progressive groups said Thursday.

In a joint statement, the fact-finding team said “environmental rights defenders and church workers Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong are no longer in the hands of their abductors, bruised but alive.”

“While they are still reeling from their harrowing ordeal, we hope that in due time, Eco and Jak will be able to fully recount the details of their abduction and subsequent release. Their captors should desist from making any attempts to further harass them,” it added.

Tiong and Dangla were reportedly riding a tricycle on their way out of Barangay Polo when they were confronted by unidentified individuals at around 8 p.m. on March 24, Sunday.

They were supposedly tackled by the perpetrators and forced inside a vehicle.

The fact-finding team extended its gratitude to those who supported calls to surface Dangla and Tiong. The Commission on Human Rights earlier called on authorities to conduct an "exhaustive search" for the two.

“To Eco and Jak and their families, we stand steadfast in solidarity throughout this difficult period. We are one with them in their demand for justice,” it said, adding that those responsible for the abduction must be held accountable.

Among those who signed the joint statement were Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas;  Alyssa Darunday of Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment; Center for Environmental Concerns executive director Lia Mai Torres.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary general Raymund Basilio; National Council of Churches in the Philippines general secretary Minnie Anne Calub; Pia Montalban of Karapatan Central Luzon; Leah Valencia of Promotion of Church People's Response; and Eufemia Doringo of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap also signed the statement.—AOL, GMA Integrated News