Abduction of activists sparks calls to surface desaparecidos

MANILA, Philippines — A human rights organization called on the government to locate victims of enforced disappearances and investigate the practice of forced surrenders after two environmental activists revealed that they were abducted by the military.

Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano were finally reunited with their families Tuesday, hours after saying at a press conference hosted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that they were kidnapped by the military and did not surrender voluntarily to authorities.

In a statement Wednesday, Karapatan said the case of Castro and Tamano should push the government to strengthen investigation and efforts to find and surface all victims of enforced disappearances or desaparecidos.

Karapatan documented eight cases of enforced disappearances during the first year of the Marcos Jr. administration.

• Elgene Mungcal
• Ma. Elena Pampoza
• Ariel Badiang
• Renel delos Santos
• Denald Laloy Mialen
• Lyn Grace Martullinas
• Dexter Capuyan
• Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus

The Commission on Human Rights earlier called the government to resolve all cases of desaparecidos “to curb the impunity that enables human rights violations to continue.”

Karapatan also called for an independent probe into attempts of the government to portray activists as “surrenderees.”

Security officials claimed that Castro and Tamano sought the government’s help to leave the communist movement. The two are volunteers helping coastal communities impacted by development projects around Manila.

“Following what Jonila and Jhed have very bravely disclosed right in the middle of the NTF-ELCAC’s press conference, it is high time that the truth about the forced or fake surrender shenanigans of the NTF-ELCAC are