2 environmentalists say they were abducted by military in Bataan

The two  environmentalists, who reportedly went missing in Orion, Bataan in September, claimed they were abducted by the military.

Jonilla Castro and Jhed Tamano made the revelation during a press conference dubbed "Tagged Reloaded: Debunking lies by telling the truth" held at the municipal hall of Plaridel in Bulacan on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

"Sa tanong na dinukot ba kami o kusang sumurender, ang totoo po ay dinukot po kami ng mga militar sakay ng van, napilitan po kami na sumurender dahil pinagbantaan ang buhay namin, 'yan ang totoo, at hindi rin namin ginusto na mapunta kami sa custodial ng mga militar (To the question if we were abducted or voluntarily surrendered, the truth is were abducted by the military riding a van, and we were forced to surrender because they threatened us, that's the truth, and we don't like to be in the military custody)," said Castro, a student and one of the two environmentalists who were reported missing on the first week of September in Bataan.

Lt. Col. Ronnel Dela Cruz, commanding officer of the 70th Infantry Battalion; Alexander Umpar director NTF-ELCAC Secretariat, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), and Plaridel Mayor Jocell Vista-Casaje were all surprised upon hearing Castro's statement.

Castro said they were activists who were just fighting for Manila Bay where a reclamation project is ongoing, which displaced hundreds of fishermen.  
 
Tamano echoed the statement of Castro.

Tamano shared that last Sept. 2, while they were walking along a street in Bataan,  a sports-utility vehicle (SUV) blocked their path and they were forced by unidentified men to go with them. 

It can be recalled that on Friday, Sept. 15, the National Security Council (NSC) denied allegations that Tamano and Castro were abducted.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan E. Malaya revealed that the two students voluntarily looked for a  safehouse for their safety after parting with the left-leaning movement.

According to the NSC official, Tamano and Castro decided to distance themselves from the leftist movement and voluntarily approached the authorities.
 
They also said that Tamano and Castro were not environmentalists but organizers of Kabataan and Karapatan.

Meanwhile, while the press conference was ongoing, a group rallied outside the municipal hall shouting for the release of Tamano and Castro.

An unidentified young woman shouted that Tamano and Castro did not surrender but were abducted by the military.