Abduction and enforced disappearance

Mass global call in support of the surfacing of two environmental defenders from the Philippines, Eco Dangla and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong

We vehemently condemn the abduction and enforced disappearance of Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and  Joxelle “Jak” Tiong on the evening of March 24, 2024 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan Province, Philippines. 

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Eco and Jak are conveners of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE) established in 2021. PPSE is also part of the Pangasinan Empowered Action on Care for the Environment (PEACENet) that included the Social Action Networks of Caritas in the Dioceses of Urdaneta and Alaminos, and the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. They were also active in other faith-based environmental formations such as the Pangasinan Ecumenical Fellowship and the Justice and Peace Church Ecology Ministry of the Diocese of Dagupan-Lingayen. Through these formations, they were able to work on environmental campaigns in 15 towns and 55 parishes.

Among the environmental issues that they worked on were the protection of Lingayen Gulf from black sand mining, opposition to the six nuclear plants proposed in Labrador Municipality, coal-fired power plants, and proposed waste incinerators for waste-to-energy. As part of the Environmental Defenders Congress (EDC) and the Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders (APNED), they also sought to increase protection of and accountability from attacks on environmental defenders.

Eco and Jak, who were both from Pangasinan province, were staunch advocates of upholding environmental rights and human rights in general, especially in the poor and marginalized communities of farmers and fisherfolk.

Before their disappearance, they were victims of red-tagging, or the practice of the government of naming individuals and organizations as communists or terrorists, which is often a prelude to further attacks.

Their case is the 22nd and 23rd incident of enforced disappearance under the 21-month administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

We call for the immediate release of Eco and Jak and all victims of enforced disappearances. In addition, we call to stop the attacks and for accountability for the continuing attacks on environmental defenders. In particular, we call for the Philippine government to urgently investigate the abduction of Eco and Jak and ensure that they are released safely. 

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Signed:

ORGANIZATIONS
Philippines

Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders 

Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines Inc. 

Environmental Defenders Congress

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment

Kasimbayan

Youth Strike for Climate Philippines

Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment

KASAMMA-KO –  alliance of overseas Filipino organizations in Korea

KERI: Caring for Activists 

IBON Foundation

Agham Youth National

Agham Youth Mapuans

HRPEC – Human Rights and People Empowerment Center

UP College of Science Student Council

PANGATAMAN – Bikol

Ladlad Caraga Inc.

Jalaur River for the People’s Movement

ecoalition

Samahang Migrante

Kalikasan – Timog Katagalugan

GABRIELA Youth – Cavite State University

Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines 

Kabataan Partylist – Dasmariñas

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Kabataan Partylist – Antipolo

Kabataan Partylist Rizal

UP Manila College of Public Health Student Council

Saribuhay UP Diliman

Saribuhay

Women in Development Foundation

SANDUGO – Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination 

PANALIPDAN! Mindanao

Diocese of Paranaque 

Aksyon sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima AKKMA

Commission in Ecology – Diocese of Antipolo

Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Tayo Kabataan

Bai Indigenous Women’s Network

Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI)

Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

Gabriela Youth Southern Tagalog

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap

BAN Toxics

Caritas Philippines

The Klima Center of Manila Observatory 

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC)

Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology

Student Christian Movement of the Philippines

International

Anakbayan Melbourne 

Inisiasi Masyarakat Adat (IMA)

Sukaar Welfare Organization
National Indigenous Women Forum
Australian Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ACHRP)

WALHI Central Kalimantan

Philippines Australia Union Link
Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili Hong kong
Cordillera Alliance Hong Kong
JPIC CICM-Philippines (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation-Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae – Philippines)

Dawei Probono Lawyer Network

CORDILLERA ALLIANCE – Hong Kong

POSSIBLE FUTURES
Oceana Philippines International 

Front Line Defenders

WALHI South Sulawesi

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France(JMBF)
Manipur International Youth Centre 

Feminista Revolucionária(FERA)

PROGRESS

SERUNI

Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines -UK

Zambia Social Forum
Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
Uplift Organization Inc.
Water Justice and Gender

Friends of the Earth US

Texas Campaign for the Environment

Deep Green Resistance

Health Care Without Harm SE Asia

Centre for Human Rights and Development 

Friends of the Earth Japan

Plus individuals