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Activists' recantation part of CPP-NPA 'new playbook': DOJ

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" ABS-CBN News " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/09/19/20230919-environmental-activists.jpg"/><figcaption>Environmental activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano appear with government officials in a press conference in Plaridel, Bulacan on Sept. 19, 2023. <em>Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>-- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin &quot;Boying&quot; Remulla on Wednesday accused two activists of following a &quot;new playbook&quot; of communist rebels, supposedly in a bid to gain public sympathy. </p><p>Environmentalists Jhed Reiyana Tamano and Jonila Castro claimed in Tuesday morning&#x27;s press conference organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that they were abducted and threatened by soldiers, contrary to reports that they voluntarily surrendered.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/surrendered-activists-say-they-were-abducted">&#x27;Surrendered&#x27; activists say they were abducted, reject coerced affidavits</a></li></ul><p>Tamano, a coordinator of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, said that she and Castro were walking on the road on September 2 when they were grabbed.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/19/23/di-sumuko-2-nawalang-aktibista-dinukot-umano-ng-militar">Di sumuko: 2 nawalang aktibista &#x27;dinukot&#x27; umano ng militar</a></li></ul><p>The 2 also accused government officials of forcing them to sign affidavits supposedly saying they were leaving the communist movement. </p><p>Remulla, however, said they have proof that the two activists gave voluntary, handwritten statements and noted that the affidavits were signed in the presence of Tamano and Castro&#x27;s parents. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/23/nsc-exec-2-environmental-defenders-may-face-perjury-charges">NSC exec: 2 environmental defenders may face perjury charges</a></li></ul><p>&quot;It looks like a new playbook of the CPP-NPA para i-discredit ang gobyerno. Pero I don&#x27;t think na we should bite into this bait na kanilang sinet up para magmukhang masama ang ating gobyerno,&quot; the justice chief said.</p><p>The activists&#x27; subsequent statement that they were kidnapped and threatened by the military is part of a &quot;choreography&quot;, he said. </p><p>&quot;Nakikita natin talaga, meron talagang choreography na ginaganap para ma-involve ang international community dito. So, very elaborate &#x27;to,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Maganda ang kanilang choreography, kaya lang we will not give in to this kind of blackmail.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Blackmail &#x27;to na wala talagang lugar sa isang sibilisadong bansa katulad natin,&quot; he added.</p><p>Remulla said the Department of Justice will follow the proper process and conduct an investigation into the incident once a complaint has been filed, either by the military or by the activists. </p><p>The Kabataan Partylist, Gabriela, and ACT Teacher&#x27;s Partylist have filed a resolution urging the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct an investigation while alleging that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and NTF-ELCAC &quot;blatantly lied to the public.&quot;</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ONOLvAkQOGs?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div><strong>PAO IN HOTSEAT</strong></div><p>The Public Attorney&#x27;s Office, meanwhile, is in the hotseat after the recantation of the 2 activists. </p><p>In an interview, PAO chief Persida Acosta insisted the 2 activists wrote their affidavits in longhand even before a PAO lawyer from Norzagaray interviewed them. </p><p>&quot;Eh may sulat kamay sila, paanong tatakutin ng PAO? Inabutan lang sila.<br/>Nagiging style bulok na ng ibang nag-a-affidavit na pag-gustong mag-recant ay ituturo si PAO, kawawa naman &#x27;yung mga PAO natin,&quot; she said.</p><p>She said the PAO lawyer interviewed the 2 in a closed-door meeting to verify the contents of their affidavits. </p><p>&quot;Tiniyak ng PAO na &#x27;yung laman nitong sulay kamay ay &#x27;yung nasa puso nila. Nag-interview siya, ipinaulit-ulit niya yung mga sinasabi ng dalawa.<br/>Ang pakiramdam namin, itong dalawang ito ay may kinakatakutan na may gumanti sa kanila kaya nag-recant,&quot; she added. </p><p>She noted that since 2001, a total of 3,733 former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF including their immediate family members have been reintegrated into society through Task Force Balik-Loob.</p><p>&quot;Buhay pa silang lahat. &#x27;Yung PAO naka-tie up sa Task Force Balik-Loob ng gobyerno,&quot; she said. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c9-gXIlo9pA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla on Wednesday accused two activists of following a 'new playbook' of communist rebels, supposedly in a bid to gain public sympathy. 