Photo from AlterMidya
September 19, 2023
Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano have spoken the truth, despite the coerced situation that they are in – they have declared they were abducted by the military, that they did not surrender and they were held inside a military camp, under pressure and under duress, making all the claims of their “surrender” all lies and hogwash.
We demand the safe release of Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro now, and not a second longer. We hold accountable the government authorities responsible for the abduction and now the possible illegal detention, coercion, and psychological torture of Jonila and Jhed.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have no reason to hold Jhed and Jonila in their custody. They should be safely released, be met by their parents, legal counsels, friends, and fellow human rights defenders who have been searching for them since the day of their abduction.
We urge the mayor of Plaridel, Bulacan that they not be returned to the camp, and facilitate their release to their families, assisted by their counsels of choice.
The exposé of Jonila and Jhed, in their own words, of their abduction by the military speaks volumes for the many victims of abduction and enforced disappearance, the wave of attacks against activists and rights defenders under the current dispensation.
Release Jhed and Jonila Now!
Cristina Palabay
Karapatan Secretary General