KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
PRESS RELEASE
29 January 2024
Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) condemned a recent decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the case of abducted anti-reclamation activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano. In a resolution dated December 12, 2023, the DOJ recommended that the perjury complaint against Castro and Tamano be dismissed, while also recommending that the two be separately charged for grave oral defamation.
“It is outrageous for the DOJ to come out with a decision that essentially legitimizes the continued attacks against environmental defenders Jhed and Jonila,” said Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE. “Instead of seeing any semblance of justice for Jhed and Jonila after their horrifying ordeal, their military captors are being given additional ammunition.”
While en route to a community consultation, Castro and Tamano were abducted by alleged military agents last September 2023 and were held in military custody for several days. The two were freed from military custody following a press conference, in which Castro and Tamano publicly refuted the claim that they willingly surrendered to the military. A military representative subsequently filed a perjury complaint against the two.
Kalikasan PNE noted that this development is “tantamount to judicial harassment” and is a continuation of the “state policy of silencing environmental and human rights defenders under the Marcos Jr. administration.”
“The continued reprisals faced by Jhed and Jonila are emblematic of the situation of defenders across the Philippines. To this date, we are still being red-tagged, harassed, imprisoned, and even killed for defending the country’s ecosystems,” said Bonifacio. “As fellow environmentalists, we stand with Jhed and Jonila as they continue to seek justice.”
The group also appealed to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan to take notice of the DOJ’s decision, saying that this is a “clear example of how the Marcos Jr. regime tramples on environmental defenders’ rights.” Khan is currently conducting an official visit to the Philippines and will stay until February 2. #
Contact:
John Carlo Magallon / Communications Officer, Kalikasan PNE
maggie@kalikasan.net / 0955 299 5309
