THE Nagkaisa labor coalition had welcomed the release of two environmental activists who were abducted in Pangasinan.
In a statement on Thursday, the coalition expressed "profound relief and joy" over the surfacing of Francisco "Eco" Dangla 3rd and Axielle "Jak" Tiong, both conveners of the Pangasinan People's Strike for the Environment.
"The unexpected surfacing of Eco and Jak, who had been previously reported as abducted under alarming circumstances, serves not only as a beacon of hope for the advocacy community but also as a poignant reminder of the state's indispensable obligation to protect the life and liberty of every citizen, as guaranteed by our Constitution," the coalition said.
The pair, known for upholding environmental and labor rights, were reportedly abducted on March 24 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. They were released on Thursday, March 28.
"Although details regarding their return to safety remain limited, the circulation of an image showing the two activists conversing with Archbishop Socrates Villegas symbolizes their current safety under the aegis of the Church," Nagkaisa added.
"This positive outcome, however, leaves many unanswered questions, thereby underscoring the urgency for a transparent and exhaustive inquiry into their abduction and the broader spectrum of assaults on activists."
Meanwhile, another labor coalition, the Philippine affiliates of the International Trade Union Confederation, that includes Kilusang Mayo Uno and the Federation of Free Workers, are also elated for the pair's release.
"The release of Dangla and Tiong not only underscores the resilience of the advocacy community but also serves as a critical reminder of the state's fundamental duty to safeguard the life and liberty of its citizens. This principle is enshrined in the Constitution and remains non-negotiable," the coalition said in a statement on Thursday.
"This development, while positive, leaves many questions unanswered, emphasizing the need for a transparent and thorough investigation into their abduction and the broader issue of attacks against activists."
Reports said Dangla was also the provincial coordinator of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Koalisyong Makabayan in Pangasinan while Tiong is a volunteer of the Kabataan party-list.
"This episode is a stark reminder of the challenges that labor and environmental activists face, often at great personal risk. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to trade union and human rights and the protection of advocates who dare to speak truth to power," the coalition said.
"Among the environmental issues that they worked on were the protection of Lingayen Gulf from black sand mining, opposition to the six nuclear plants proposed in Labrador Municipality, coal-fired power plants, and proposed waste incinerators for waste-to-energy. As part of the Environmental Defenders Congress (EDC) and the Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders (Apned), they also sought to increase protection of and accountability from attacks on environmental defenders."
Likewise, the Gabriela Women's Party has condemned the "abduction and harassment."
In a statement, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said that the abduction of Dangla and Tiong is a "blatant attempt to silence those who fight for our environment."
"We demand an immediate and swift investigation into their disappearance and their safe return," Brosas said.
According to Karapatan, Dangla has been tagged as a "terrorist and a threat" by the Ilocos Region Regional Peace and Order Council.
"It is alarming that the number of abduction and harassment human rights defenders face under the [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] administration continue to increase despite the growing calls to hands off human rights defenders," Brosas added.
She said that any form of "intimidation" is unacceptable and will continue to fight for environmental defenders who advocate for the protection of the environment.
In an earlier statement, the fact-finding mission team said that those responsible for their abduction and ordeal "must be held accountable."
"This pattern of attacks against environmental activists, human rights defenders and whole communities, in the context of the prevalent climate of impunity and socioeconomic ills, shows that the rights situation in the Philippines remains dire under the Marcos Jr. administration," it added.
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