By Allan Canilang | April 8, 2024
Image: Human rights group Karapatan organized a protest demanding to surface environmental rights defenders Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong. (Photo from: Karapatan)

The UP Baguio University Student Council (UPB USC) has demanded ‘swift’ justice for the two environmental rights defenders Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong, who were found after being reported abducted in San Carlos, Pangasinan on March 24.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the UPB USC expressed concerns on the disappearances of environmental activists in the country.

“Nakakagambala ang sunud-sunod na pagkawala ng mga tagapagtanggol ng kalikasan sa panahon ng napakaraming agresyon sa kanayunan upang maitayo ang samut-saring mga proyektong sisira lamang sa kalikasan at sa komunidad ng mga katutubo at mga pilipino na maapektuhan ng mga ito,” the statement read.

Karapatan Central Luzon confirmed on its Facebook page on March 28 that Dangla and Tiong were ‘bruised but alive.’

It reported that several witnesses saw the two environmental rights defenders being dragged at a waiting SUV around 8 p.m. on March 24 at Barangay Polo, City of San Carlos, Pangasinan.

Karapatan Central Luzon reported that Dangla and Tiong are victims of red-tagging, with their abduction marking the 7th and 8th cases ‘across the central plains of Luzon’ that includes Pangasinan.

Both are also the conveners of Pangasinan People Strike for the Environment.

On the other hand, the UPB USC also demanded to surface Cordillera activists and UPB alumni Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus, who are still missing for almost a year on an enforced disappearance.

UPB USC Chairperson Cathleen De Guzman, however, insisted that the authorities have no plan on Capuyan and De Jesus’ case.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are still staying mum as the writ of habeas corpus ordered to them was merely noticed. From this, I strongly believe that the authorities have no plan to help with cases of disappearance,” De Guzman said.