Missing Philippines activists say ‘we were abducted by the military’ – as security chiefs cry ‘fake news’
- Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano had been working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities in Manila Bay when they disappeared
- They say they were taken into military custody and forced to sign a statement. Security chiefs have accused the pair of being ‘leftist organisers’
Two environmental activists allegedly abducted by the Philippine military more than two weeks ago were freed on Tuesday, sparking jubilation among supporters who had campaigned for their release.
Jonila Castro, 21, and Jhed Tamano, 22, had been working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities in Manila Bay when they disappeared on September 2 in Bataan province, near the capital Manila.
The women were released on Tuesday hours after appearing at a government press conference where they went off script and accused the military of abduction – charges the authorities have repeatedly denied.
Rights groups previously alleged the women had been violently abducted, possibly by “state actors”, apparently in relation to their activism.
“We proved, because of what happened, that what we are fighting for is correct,” a defiant Castro told reporters and activists after being freed.
Tamano, who was standing next to Castro, called for “the resurfacing of other victims of forced disappearances”.
