PH army says detained IP rights advocates safe, groups demand release

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — The Philippine Army on Thursday denied allegations that soldiers abducted three indigenous peoples (IP) human rights advocates in Oriental Mindoro.

In a statement on Thursday, the army said the three – Alia Encelo, Job Abednego David, and Peter del Monte – were captured during a legitimate military operation on Sept. 23.

They are currently safe and in good spirits, it added.

«The Army maintained its position that there was no forced disappearance concerning the three because all protocols were followed throughout the operation,» said BGen Randolph Cabangbang, commander of the 203rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division.

The army also said the three activists have been identified as members of the communist New People's Army.

During their arrest, Cabangbang said troops found improvised landmines and grenades inside their bags.

Karapatan and other human rights groups, meanwhile, demanded the release of the three activists, saying there's no legal basis for their detention.

Encelo, David, and Del Monte were last seen on Sept. 19.

Their supposed arrest came more than a month after two environmental activists went missing on Sept. 2 in Bataan.

"Hindi na bago ang pagdukot ng mga kapulisan at militar sa mga aktibista at nagsusulong ng karapatang pantao," Karapatan said.

[Translation: The abduction of activists and human rights advocates by the police and military is nothing new.]