Task force denies hand in abduction of 2 Bataan environmentalists

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 7, 2023): Task force denies hand in abduction of 2 Bataan environmentalists (By Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday night denied allegations that government forces are responsible for the reported abduction of two environmentalists in Orion, Bataan over the weekend.

In a statement, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr. said they are "deeply concerned with this incident" but emphasized that the claims of militant group Anakbayan against the task force, the military, and the government over the incident are unfounded and malicious.

"These are baseless accusations that aim to undermine the integrity and professionalism of the Task Force and our personnel. We uphold the highest standards of human rights, accountability, and transparency in all our operations and activities," he added.

The victims, Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, are working coordinators of the environmental group "AKAP KA Manila Bay," which helps communities affected by a massive land reclamation project in Bataan.

Reports said the victims were preparing for a relief operation in the province when they were abducted by still unidentified men and taken away in a gray sports utility vehicle on the night of Sept. 2.

Torres also said the NTF-ELCAC strongly rejects any attempt of the insurgent groups to tarnish its reputation and credibility with false and fabricated claims.

"Further, the NTF-ELCAC urges the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into this incident, and to ensure the safety and well-being of the victims and their families," he added.

Meanwhile, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the accusations of Anakbayan were made without any shred of evidence.

"This is the usual Anakbayan playbook where the NTF-ELCAC is the convenient scapegoat by this front organization for any alleged deficiency of government," he said.

Malaya, who heads the NTF-ELCAC Strategic Communications Cluster, challenged Anakbayan to come up with evidence or proof of wrongdoing by the task force and "submit the same to the Department of Justice for preliminary investigation."

"If they have none, then they should let the PNP-CIDG (Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) conduct its investigation rather than pointing fingers at the NTF-ELCAC with complete disregard for the truth," he said.

Accusation baseless without evidence

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said accusations that the military is behind the abduction is baseless without any evidence.

"Without any evidence presented to prove their claim, to me the accusation is baseless and malicious, nothing but a propaganda aimed to destroy the image of the government. Such accusation therefore needs no response from us," he added.

Aguilar also added that the AFP prefers to work with "fair-minded people and organizations" and save lives rather than engage in "useless verbal tussle with individuals or groups whose minds are poisoned by lies and deceits of CPP(Communist Party of the Philippines) cadres."

"But I must admit that they too need our help to be enlightened and to be led to the right path," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209392