Surface Environmental Defenders Eco Dangla III and Joxelle "Jak" Tiong

Category: Statements

Update: ‘Bruised but alive’: Missing environmental activists in Pangasinan found safe, MAR 28, 2024 9:31 AM PHT, JAIRO BOLLEDO, Rappler. Click here to read article.

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.

 

 

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. 

Signed:

(Updated as of March 27, 10:10AM PST)

257 Philippine and International Organizations (123 local, 134 international)

416 Individuals (301 local, 115 international)

TOTAL: 673 SIGNATORIES

ORGANIZATIONS

Philippines:

  1. Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines Inc.
  2. Environmental Defenders Congress
  3. Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
  4. Kasimbayan
  5. Youth Strike for Climate Philippines
  6. Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment
  7. KASAMMA-KO –  alliance of overseas Filipino organizations in Korea
  8. KERI: Caring for Activists
  9. IBON Foundation
  10. Agham Youth National
  11. Agham Youth Mapuans
  12. HRPEC – Human Rights and People Empowerment Center
  13. UP College of Science Student Council
  14. PANGATAMAN – Bikol
  15. Ladlad Caraga Inc.
  16. Jalaur River for the People’s Movement
  17. Ecoalition
  18. Samahang Migrante
  19. Kalikasan – Timog Katagalugan
  20. GABRIELA Youth – Cavite State University
  21. Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines
  22. Kabataan Partylist – Dasmariñas
  23. College Editors Guild of the Philippines
  24. Kabataan Partylist – Antipolo
  25. Kabataan Partylist Rizal
  26. UP Manila College of Public Health Student Council
  27. Saribuhay UP Diliman
  28. Saribuhay
  29. Women in Development Foundation
  30. SANDUGO – Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination
  31. PANALIPDAN! Mindanao
  32. Diocese of Paranaque
  33. Aksyon sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima AKKMA
  34. Commission in Ecology – Diocese of Antipolo
  35. Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
  36. Tayo Kabataan
  37. Bai Indigenous Women’s Network
  38. Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI)
  39. Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
  40. Gabriela Youth Southern Tagalog
  41. Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap
  42. BAN Toxics
  43. Caritas Philippines
  44. The Klima Center of Manila Observatory
  45. Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC)
  46. Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
  47. Student Christian Movement of the Philippines
  48. AKAP KA Manila Bay
  49. Save Sual Movement
  50. Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG)
  51. Kabataan Partylist Pasay
  52. Assert Socio-economic Initiatives Network (ASCENT)
  53. 350.org Pilipinas
  54. League of Filipino Students – UP Diliman
  55. Philippine Normal University-Luntian (PNU-LUNTIAN)
  56. UP Pi Sigma Fraternity
  57. KARAPATAN
  58. Church People – Workers Solidarity
  59. Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women
  60. Rural Women Advocates
  61. Inklusibo – Philippine Resource Center for Inclusive Development
  62. In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend)
  63. Church People – Workers Solidarity (CWS)
  64. Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
  65. Kadamay Malabon at Navotas
  66. Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND)
  67. Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance
  68. Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance
  69. Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
  70. Religious Discernment Group (RDG)
  71. Taripnong Cagayan Valley
  72. STAND UP CSWCD (STAND UP College of Social Work and Community Development)
  73. Freedom from Debt Coalition
  74. DAKILA
  75. Ilog Pasiglahin
  76. AGHAM Advocates of Science and Technology for the People
  77. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
  78. Tanggol Magsasaka
  79. Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)
  80. LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights)
  81. Commission on Service to Human Promotion
  82. Medical Mission Sisters
  83. College of Arts and Sciences – UP Manila
  84. Pangasinan People’s Council / Urdaneta City People’s Council
  85. Agham Youth PUP
  86. National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Cebu
  87. Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
  88. Panalipdan Youth Davao
  89. Cordillera Peoples Alliance
  90. Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
  91. Anakbayan Kalinga
  92. BINNADANG Amianan
  93. TAKDER (Cordillera Youth Movement for Democracy and Prosperity)
  94. Protect Sierra Madre for the People (PSM)
  95. ACT UNION CAR
  96. Diocese of Antipolo Social Action Center
  97. Alay Sining
  98. Alay Sining KAL
  99. Anakbayan Metro-Baguio
  100. Anakbayan UST
  101. Panday Sining CSB
  102. Sanlakas
  103. APIT TAKO (Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera)
  104. Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI)
  105. Bahaghari Metro Manila
  106. Living Laudato Si’ Philippines
  107. Bayan Muna Partylist
  108. The Pitak Project
  109. Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE)
  110. Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
  111. SALiGAN sa CSSP
  112. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Region 1 Union
  113. Water for the People Network
  114. Justice and Peace Advocates of Kalinga (JPAK)
  115. Timpuyog dagiti Mannalon ti Kalinga
  116. Zero Waste Baguio Incorporated
  117. Zambales Ecological Network Inc
  118. People’s Choice Movement
  119. La Union Peace and Justice Advocates
  120. BUNYOG (PAGKAKAISA) PARTY
  121. Integral Ecology Ministry
  122. KAUSABAN,INC.
  • Others requested to not be named

International:

  1. Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders
  2. Anakbayan Melbourne
  3. Inisiasi Masyarakat Adat (IMA)
  4. Sukaar Welfare Organization
  5. National Indigenous Women Forum
  6. Australian Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ACHRP)
  7. WALHI Central Kalimantan
  8. Philippines Australia Union Link
  9. Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili Hong kong
  10. Cordillera Alliance Hong Kong
  11. JPIC CICM-Philippines (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation-Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae – Philippines)
  12. Dawei Probono Lawyer Network
  13. POSSIBLE FUTURES
  14. Oceana Philippines International
  15. Front Line Defenders
  16. WALHI South Sulawesi
  17. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France(JMBF)
  18. Manipur International Youth Centre
  19. Feminista Revolucionária(FERA)
  20. Palangkaraya Ecological and Human Rights Studies (PROGRESS)
  21. Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (SERUNI)
  22. Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines -UK
  23. Zambia Social Forum
  24. Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
  25. Uplift Organization Inc.
  26. Water Justice and Gender
  27. Friends of the Earth US
  28. Texas Campaign for the Environment
  29. Deep Green Resistance
  30. Health Care Without Harm SE Asia
  31. Centre for Human Rights and Development
  32. Friends of the Earth Japan
  33. International Association of People’s Lawyers
  34. Alliance for Future Generations – Fiji
  35. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
  36. The Story of Stuff Project
  37. Migrante
  38. ECOTON Foundation
  39. Consumers’ Association of Penang
  40. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia)
  41. WasteLess
  42. Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
  43. Aliansi Zero Waste Indonesia
  44. National Forum for Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN)
  45. Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria
  46. Mae Nam Khone Institute
  47. Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC)
  48. Indian Social Action Forum
  49. Growthwatch
  50. NGO Forum on ADB
  51. Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network
  52. Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine
  53. PAN ASIA PACIFIC
  54. IBON Africa
  55. Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria)
  56. Basel Action Network
  57. Bangladesh Krishok Federation
  58. WALHI/Friends of the Earth Indonesia
  59. PowerShift
  60. Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE)
  61. Nexus3 Foundation
  62. Front commun pour la protection de l’environnement et des espèces protégés
  63. KOTHOWAIN (Vulnerable Peoples Development Organization) Bandarban Hill Tract, BANGLADESH
  64. Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)
  65. Friends of the Earth Australia
  66. Climate Rights International
  67. IBON International
  68. Columban Missionaries
  69. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
  70. Biofuelwatch
  71. Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions
  72. Malaya Canada
  73. Manushya Foundation
  74. Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns
  75. Zero Waste Society
  76. International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL)
  77. Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network
  78. Focus on the Global South
  79. Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)
  80. Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
  81. Anakbayan Ottawa
  82. National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
  83. Human Rights Defenders(HRD)
  84. MiningWatch Canada
  85. Asociación Ecológica Santo Tomás, A.C.
  86. FASE – Espírito Santo (Brazil)
  87. Campanha Antipetroleira Nem Um Poço a Mais! (Brazil)
  88. FORUM-ASIA
  89. Oilwatch International
  90. Rainforest Rescue – Switzerland
  91. Gabriela Aotearoa
  92. Filguys Gabriela Hongkong
  93. Fenceline Watch (US)
  94. Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
  95. Anglican Justice and Peace Unit
  96. Milk Tea Alliance Thailand
  97. Global Witness
  98. Revolutionaire Eenheid
  99. Maya Solidarity
  100. Creatively United for the Planet Society
  101. ICHRP-Canada (International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines Canada Chapter)
  102. MIGRANTE CANADA
  103. WECF International – Women Engage for a Common Future
  104. Migrante Ottawa
  105. Anakbayan Montreal
  106. ICCDI Africa (International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa)
  107. Soil of Cultures
  108. Plastic Free Future
  109. FracTracker Alliance
  110. Gabriela Aotearoa New Zealand
  111. Peace Movement Aotearoa
  112. Khadija Leadership Network
  113. Earth Thrive
  114. 7th Generation Advisors
  115. International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)
  116. Alaska Community Action on Toxics
  117. Anakbayan Aotearoa
  118. Zero Waste Ithaca
  119. Inland Ocean Coalition
  120. PODER (Project on Organization, Development, Education and Research)
  121. MARBE SA (Costa Rica)
  122. Save our Susquehanna PA
  123. South Coast Neighbors United
  124. Institute for Local Self-Reliance
  125. Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend
  126. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
  127. Filguys Gabriela Hongkong
  128. Broward Clean Air / Compost For Life