Tamano, Castro file complaint vs. Army, PNP over alleged abduction

Environment activists Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro on Thursday filed a complaint against state forces before the Office of the Ombudsman over their alleged abduction in September 2023.

In a 22-page complaint, Tamano and Castro asked the Ombudsman to preventively suspend the respondents without pay or benefit amid the investigation.

They also sought the respondents’ removal from service.

Tamano and Castro 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 Revied 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. 

The respondents are National Security Council official Jonathan 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).

“We were unlawfully arrested/ abducted by soldiers from the 70th Infantry Battalion with complicity of the NTF-ELCAC,” the complaint read.

During this time, the two women said they were forced to confess that they were surrenderees of the New People's Army (NPA).

Tamano and Castro also said they were subjected to torture by their captors.

“We were blindfolded continuously for a period of one day. Under such conditions, we were subjected to intense interrogation and constant threats to be killed,” they said.

“During the intense interrogation, the respondents repeatedly threatened us, and our families, with bodily harm. The threat abated, but never stopped, after we agreed to be presented in the press conference on September 19,” the complaint added.

GMA News Online has asked the respondents for comment but has yet to receive a response as of this story's posting time.

For their part, 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.—RF/BM, GMA Integrated News