NTF-ELCAC says complaint over alleged abduction of activists an ‘act of desperation’

The complaint filed against the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) over the alleged abduction of two environment activists was an “act of desperation,” the spokesperson of the anti-insurgency task force said on Friday.

In a press conference, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the complaint  filed by Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro before the Office of the Ombudsman was like “forum shopping.”

“This is an act of desperation on their part. Number two, this is also forum shopping. Pumunta sila sa korte. They went to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals. Hindi sila nakakuha doon. They now are looking for any venue to pin down and again pillory the National Task Force ELCAC,” Malaya said.

(This is an act of desperation on their part. Number two, this is also forum shopping. They went to court. They went to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals. They didn't get what they wanted. They now are looking for any venue to pin down and again pillory the National Task Force ELCAC.)

Malaya added that the move also aims to harass the NTF-ELCAC and other respondents.

“It's a harassment. For what? To intimidate. To threaten. Para tumahimik na kami (For us to be silenced). For us to back off whatever we're doing,” he said.

According to Malaya, the two also filed the complaint for media mileage as their groups are supporting some candidates for the 2025 elections.

“I think the other thing that is a reason why they filed these cases is for media mileage. They have candidates running for senator. They have candidates running for party-list in the next election. And the filing of cases gives them the venue to capture extensive media mileage for them to portray themselves as the vendor of alleged environmentalists na hindi naman (who are actually not),” he said.

On Thursday, Tamano and Castro asked the Ombudsman to preventively suspend the respondents without pay or benefit amid the investigation into their alleged abduction in September 2023.

They also sought the respondents’ removal from service.

The two filed a complaint for violation of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 and the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 as well as grave coercion under the Revised Penal Code.

They also filed administrative charges for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and oppression and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. 

Among the respondents are National Security Council official Malaya and members of the Philippine Army (PA), the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala welcomed the complaint, saying this is an opportunity to address the allegations in a proper forum.

“It is crucial that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted to ensure accountability and uphold justice,” Dema-ala said in a message to GMA News Online.

“The Philippine Army reiterates our steadfast commitment and adherence to human rights and international humanitarian rights law. We stand committed to serve the Filipino people with integrity and professionalism,” he added.

In September 2023, the NTF ELCAC claimed that Tamano and Castro surrendered to the 70IB in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

The anti-insurgency task force presented the two at a press conference to debunk reports of their abduction. However, the activists said they were abducted by the military.

In October, the Court of Appeals affirmed its dismissal of Tamano and Castro’s petition for writs of amparo and habeas data.—LDF, GMA Integrated News