MANILA, Philippines- Inumpisahan na ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang imbestigasyon nito at nagtalaga ng quick response team upang busisiin ang naiulat na pagkawala noong Sept. 2 ng dalawang environment advocates sa Bataan.
Ito ay kasunod ng ulat ng anti-reclamation network AKAP Ka Manila Bay na dinukot umano sina Jonila Castro, 21, at Jhed Tamano, 22, sa Barangay Lati, Orion, Bataan bandang alas-7 ng gabi noong Sept. 2.
Batay sa AKAP Ka Manila Bay, sinabi ng CHR na nag-volunteer sina Castro at Tamano na magsagawa ng research sa pagbaha at epekto ng Manila Bay reclamation sa kabuhayan ng fishing communities sa bayan ng Orion.
Sinabi nito na bago ang pagdukot umano sa mga ito, iniulat ng AKAP Ka Manila Bay na hinarass umano ang dalawang environmentalists.
“CHR is gravely alarmed by this latest case of alleged abduction only a few days after the observance of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance,” pahayag nito.
“We call for immediate and exhaustive efforts from law enforcement agencies to search for the missing young environment advocates,” pagbibigay-diin pa.
Iginiit ng komisyon na kailangang magsalita ng mga testigo at indibidwal na mayroong impormasyon ukol sa kinaroroonan at aktibidad nina Castro at Tamano, at makipag-ugnayan sa CHR at iba pang investigative bodies upang matunton ang mga ito.
“The Commission stresses that arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of liberty, such as illegal arrest, detention, or abduction, are severe human rights violations punishable under the Republic Act No. 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012. It cannot be overemphasized that the Philippine Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantee the right to life, liberty, and security of all,” anang CHR.
Gayundin, binigyang-diin ng CHR na kailangang ratipikahan ang International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Umaasa ang komisyon na magiging legal standard ito na makatatabay sa political dynamics, leadership change, o pagbabago sa mga polisiya.
Patuloy nito: “We also continue to remind the government to strengthen safeguards on the rights of environmental defenders. As many of them work to defend the environment through peaceful and responsible means, it is imperative that they are supported, instead of subjected to violence, harassment, and intimidation.” RNT/SA
