2 community organizers kidnapped in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines — Two anti-reclamation activists were reportedly kidnapped in Orion, Bataan over the weekend.

Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, were seized by unidentified men in front of the Orion Water District in Barangay Lati at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, rights group Karapatan said yesterday.

Tamano is coordinator of advocacy program “Turn the Tide, Now!” Castro is a community volunteer of AKAP Ka Manila Bay, a multisectoral network supporting communities affected by Manila Bay reclamation projects.

Karapatan-Central Luzon said the kidnapping was a case of enforced disappearance.

“A pair of slippers and a pairless strapped sandal, positively identified to be belonging to the two, were discovered in the area they were taken,” said the group.

“The two had reported surveillance activities against them,” it added.

Karapatan urged the public to share any information regarding the kidnapping and the possible whereabouts of the activists.

The AKAP Ka Manila Bay said Tamano and Castro volunteered to help assess the impact on communities of various reclamation projects in Manila bay.

Before their disapperance, Castro and Tamano were preparing to conduct relief operations and consultations with communities in Bataan.