Army General Denies Alleged Abduction of “IP Advocates” in Oriental Mindoro
An army general has denied the alleged abduction of three “Indigenous people advocates” who reportedly went missing in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro in September. The denial was made during a virtual press conference held by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) – Integrated Communications Office Center (ICOC) on October 9. Philippine Army 203rd Infantry Brigade Commanding General Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang asserted that the individuals – Alia Encela, 19; Peter del Monte, 29; and Job David, 29 – were neither abducted nor victims of enforced disappearance.
The report on the alleged abduction was initially shared by human rights group Karapatan Southern Tagalog, which claimed that the three advocates were taken by the army while investigating human rights violations in the communities. Cabangbang dismissed these allegations, stating that it would be impossible for them to walk for three days just to kidnap someone who does not live in the area. He further criticized Karapatan for spreading lies and using the issue to amass funds through an “alert-surface-donation-release” (ASDR) scheme.
The NTF-ELCAC asserted that the captured individuals, David, del Monte, and Encela, were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and were arrested during legitimate military operations in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong town. ICOC head and NTF-ELCAC spokesman Director-designate Joel Sy Egco added that the three individuals were not aware that they were being called “IP advocates.”
While the army general suggested that the three were in voluntary custody, human rights groups and other organizations have called for their immediate release. These groups argue that the circumstances of their abduction indicate that they are under duress and deprived of their rights. The NTF-ELCAC announced that David, del Monte, and Encela are now facing charges for the violation of Republic Act 8294 (Illegal Possession and Manufacture of Explosive Devices).
The alleged abduction comes in the wake of documented human rights violations committed by the 4th Infantry Battalion and the 203rd Infantry Brigade in the region. Human rights group Karapatan Southern Tagalog believes that these violations amount to state violence and is a concerning trend linked to the national security policy of the Marcos Jr. administration. Protests have been organized by various human rights groups calling for justice and the release of the three “IP advocates.”
