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Advocates Philippines
NTF-ELCAC Responds To Allegations Made During Press Conference In Plaridel, Bulacan
Screengrab from Plaridel Municipal Hall
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has issued a statement in response to the recent press conference held in Plaridel, Bulacan, during which two youths, Jhed Reiyana Tamano and Jonila Castro, shared their accounts of alleged abduction by security forces.
In the statement, NTF-ELCAC expressed deep disappointment and shock at the events that unfolded during the press conference. The group had organized the event with good intentions, aiming to provide a platform for Tamano and Castro to share their experiences.
They thanked the local government unit of Plaridel and Mayor Jocell Aimee R. Vistan for their support in facilitating the conference.
The NTF-ELCAC said they firmly supported the position of the 70th Infantry Battalion, led by LtCol. Ronnel Dela Cruz, regarding the circumstances surrounding the surrender of Tamano and Castro. They said that this was reinforced by the respective affidavits provided by the two youths, detailing their journey from leaving the underground movement to their safe arrival at the Battalion headquarters with the assistance of a friend.
The statement also endorsed the official report of the Philippine National Police in Bataan province, emphasizing the credibility and integrity of their investigation into the case of Ms. Tamano and Ms. Castro.
Expressing their bewilderment at the sudden change of heart displayed by the two students, the NTF-ELCAC highlighted that earlier engagements with Task Force officials had appeared convincing enough to merit a public appearance. They felt betrayed by the turn of events.
Nevertheless, the NTF-ELCAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Tamano and Castro and upholding their individual rights under all circumstances. The organization stated that the utterances made by the two during the LGU-facilitated press conference would be subject to further investigation with the support of other civilian agency members of the Task Force.
Despite the unexpected outcome, the NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the press conference had been conducted in good faith. They remained undeterred by “any attempt to humiliate the organization and those who had placed their trust in them.”
The organization left the decision on how to proceed from this point to the wisdom of the Task Force's legal experts. They assured the public that the NTF-ELCAC remained “unwavering in its commitment to unity, peace, and development at all costs, with the safety and well-being of Ms. Tamano and Ms. Castro being of paramount importance.”
In the statement, NTF-ELCAC expressed deep disappointment and shock at the events that unfolded during the press conference. The group had organized the event with good intentions, aiming to provide a platform for Tamano and Castro to share their experiences.
They thanked the local government unit of Plaridel and Mayor Jocell Aimee R. Vistan for their support in facilitating the conference.
The NTF-ELCAC said they firmly supported the position of the 70th Infantry Battalion, led by LtCol. Ronnel Dela Cruz, regarding the circumstances surrounding the surrender of Tamano and Castro. They said that this was reinforced by the respective affidavits provided by the two youths, detailing their journey from leaving the underground movement to their safe arrival at the Battalion headquarters with the assistance of a friend.
The statement also endorsed the official report of the Philippine National Police in Bataan province, emphasizing the credibility and integrity of their investigation into the case of Ms. Tamano and Ms. Castro.
Expressing their bewilderment at the sudden change of heart displayed by the two students, the NTF-ELCAC highlighted that earlier engagements with Task Force officials had appeared convincing enough to merit a public appearance. They felt betrayed by the turn of events.
Nevertheless, the NTF-ELCAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Tamano and Castro and upholding their individual rights under all circumstances. The organization stated that the utterances made by the two during the LGU-facilitated press conference would be subject to further investigation with the support of other civilian agency members of the Task Force.
Despite the unexpected outcome, the NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the press conference had been conducted in good faith. They remained undeterred by “any attempt to humiliate the organization and those who had placed their trust in them.”
The organization left the decision on how to proceed from this point to the wisdom of the Task Force's legal experts. They assured the public that the NTF-ELCAC remained “unwavering in its commitment to unity, peace, and development at all costs, with the safety and well-being of Ms. Tamano and Ms. Castro being of paramount importance.”
Sep 20, 2023
