The Philippine Army (PA) said it respects the decision of two environmental activists who surfaced two weeks ago after going missing in Bataan to file protective writs against military and police officials and several other government officials for their alleged abduction.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson, said though that the Army still considers the filing of charges against Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, for their actions during a government-organized press conference two weeks ago where they claimed they were kidnapped by the military.
"The Philippine Army respect their rights to file such actions as provided by our laws. We submit to the wisdom of the higher court if they find merit in their plea," Trinidad said on Friday night, Sept. 29.
"However, this will not refrain the Army in pursuing legal remedies within the bounds of law against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano for their actions during the press conference," he added.
According to reports, Tamano and Castro filed before the Supreme Court (SC) a petition for a writ of amparo, writ of habeas data, and a temporary protection order.
Reorts said the respondents were identified as Lt. Col. Ronnel dela Cruz, commander of the Army's 70th Infantry Battalion, and its members; Capt. Carlito Buco, of the Bataan Provincial Police Office, and its members; National Security Council (NSC) Asst. Director General Jonathan Malaya; and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
To recall, Tamano and Castro went missing in Orion, Bataan on Sept. 2. Rights groups said that the two environment activists were active in helping fisherfolk who were affected by reclamation activities at the Manila Bay.
The two eventually surfaced in a press conference organized by the NTF-ELCAC in Plaridel town on Sept. 19 in what was meant to be an avenue where they could detail the narrative on how they voluntarily surrendered to military and police forces in Bulacan.
However, Tamano and Castro shocked government officials as they claimed that it was the military that was behind their disappearance.
This claim was denied by the military, police, and the NTF-ELCAC.
Trinidad said Tamano and Castro "revealed their true colors and intention to deceive their family, the government, and the Filipino people" when they issued a different statement from the sworn affidavit they issued during their supposed surrender.
Malaya, who also serves as the spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC, earlier said that Tamano and Castro could be charged for perjury if it is proven that they issued false statements while under oath and in the presence of a lawyer from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) when they issued their sworn affidavit.
Trinidad also insisted that Tamano and Castro surrendered to the government forces and the Army "acted in good faith" in providing "necessary assistance" to them.
Pressed on the status of the preparation by the military in filing a case against Tamano and Castro, Trinidad responded: "Let us just wait for the events to unfold. All angles of possible legal actions are being carefully reviewed."