The Philippine Army’s seventh Infantry Division (7ID) on Thursday mentioned there was no file or grievance filed in reference to the reported abduction of two activists in Orion, Bataan on September 2.
In a press release, the 7ID mentioned it checked the matter with the Orion Municipal Police Station however there was no data discovered in regards to the alleged abduction.
“Based on the initial information gathered, from September 2 to date, there was no record nor complaint filed by the parents of Castro and Tamano regarding the alleged incident,” the 7ID mentioned.
On Wednesday, progressive youth group Anakbayan known as for the rapid surfacing of two lacking fisherfolk organizers Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21.
Anakbayan nationwide spokesperson Kate Almenzo claimed that the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) have been behind the kidnapping.
Almenzo mentioned Tamano and Castro, former members of Anakbayan in Bulacan State University, have been allegedly violently pressured by 4 unidentified armed males inside a grey SUV.
Only their footwears present in entrance of the Orion Water District have been left within the space.
Sought for remark, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar dismissed the allegation as “baseless and malicious” propaganda.
“We would rather work with fair minded people than engage ourselves in useless verbal tussle against a group whose objective is not to seek justice but to destroy our image,” Aguilar mentioned in a message to GMA News Online.
This was echoed by National Security Council Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya who mentioned the accusation was “without any shred of evidence whatsoever.”
Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., NTF ELCAC National Secretariat government director, expressed deep concern with the reported abduction of Castro and Tamano, however mentioned that the allegation in opposition to the army and authorities are “completely unfounded and malicious.”
“We uphold the highest standards of human rights, accountability, and transparency in all our operations and activities. We reject any attempt of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to tarnish our reputation and credibility with false and fabricated claims,” he mentioned.
The PNP denied the allegation and PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. has ordered an investigation into the matter.
“We are doing our best to get to know what is the status of these missing kabataan [young people],” he mentioned.
“We have possibilities or choice, but I don’t want to speculate. Siguro, hintayin na lang ano ang lalabas na resulta ng pag-iimbestiga ng ating PNP (Let’s wait for the result of PNP’s investigation),” he added.
Orion Police chief Police Captain Silvestre Colanza additionally requested those that have any details about the lacking activists to coordinate with the police.
“Pakiusap po sana namin, hindi ito ang oras para magbatuhan po tayo ng sisi. Tulungan po tayo rito para ma-locate natin, mahanap ang dalawang bata at masiguro na sila ay secure,” Colanza mentioned.
(This will not be the time to throw blame at us. Please assist us right here so we are able to find and discover the 2 youngsters and ensure they’re safe.)—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
