Missing activists Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro (Photo from a poster from Karapatan Central Luzon)
OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales, Philippines — More progressive groups on Tuesday denounced the reported abduction of two environmental rights defenders in Bataan province, saying the latest incident of “enforced disappearance” among activists was an indication of the “continuing culture of impunity in the country.”
Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed men at Barangay Lati in Orion town on Sept. 2, according to human rights advocacy group Karapatan-Central Luzon.
Karapatan said the disappearance of Tamano and Castro, who have been active in organizing the coastal communities in the northern part of Manila Bay, should be a cause for concern.
Fisherfolk group Pamalayaka shared Karapatan’s apprehension, citing the “alarming reports” that the abductors were suspected to be state forces.
Tamano and Castro, dubbed the missing “Orion 2,” are coordinators of the environmental group Akap Ka Manila Bay who were given the crucial task of assisting in the anti-reclamation campaign being waged by fisherfolk and residents of the bay, said Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chair, in a statement.
Akap Ka Manila Bay (Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Pagtatanggol sa Kabuhayan, Paninirahan at Kalikasan ng Manila Bay) is an alliance convened by church people and fisherfolk organizations to forward issues concerning major stakeholders along the Manila Bay Area, primarily the marginalized. It aims to defend livelihoods, communities, and the environment, particularly along the coasts of Manila Bay.
Reclamation threat
The coastal towns of Bataan are among the many areas with planned reclamation projects in Manila Bay. It is covered by the 18,000-hectare Manila Bay Integrated Flood Control, Coastal Defense and Expressway Project. Government records showed the project involves the dumping and filling of productive fish ponds, mangrove areas, and municipal fishing grounds in several towns of Bataan, Bulacan, and Navotas City.
Last month, President Marcos announced the suspension of all reclamation projects in Manila Bay as the government reassessed the overall long-term impact on the environment. But Arambulo believed that the President’s pronouncement appeared to be mere “lip service” in the absence of a written executive order.
Reports from Akap Ka and Karapatan said Tamano and Castro were preparing for relief operations in communities in Bataan affected by a reclamation project before they were abducted.