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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’

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Jhed Tamano (centre, left) and Jonila Castro (centre, right) arrive to address a news conference at the Philippines’ Commission of Human Rights in Quezon City on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

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.

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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 Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for land and environmental defenders, with 11 killed in 2022, according to watchdog Global Witness.
An aerial shot shows a land reclamation site in Manila Bay last month. The two women had been working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities when they disappeared. Photo: AFP
An aerial shot shows a land reclamation site in Manila Bay last month. The two women had been working with coastal communities opposed to reclamation activities when they disappeared. Photo: AFP

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”.

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