The Philippine Army stood firm that the two environmental activists, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, have "voluntarily surrendered" to the military, in contrast to their recent recanted claims that they were abducted by the soldiers in Plaridel, Bulacan.

In a press conference, Army Chief LtGen. Roy Galido admits that the two young activists have tricked the military, hence, filing criminal charges against them would be likely.

"We felt betrayed that's why we will file the necessary case, to use our laws, just like when you are also betrayed when your clients are betrayed, they file a case against you, so we just have to follow the rule of law in our country, "Galido told the reporters at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Galido said Castro and Tamano categorically expressed their willingness to return to the folds of the law after being radicalized by the leftist organizations as "written in their sworn affidavits."

"They went to us, they want to go back to the fold of the law, they provided a statement, we welcomed them," Galido stressed.

Despite the recent "turn of events" in its fight against communist radicalization and insurgency, Galido said the Philippine Army will continue to extend massive efforts for those left-leaning individuals and New People's Army members who are still willing to have a fresh start.

He noted that similar assistance extended by the government to any other surrenderers was also provided for Castro and Tamano.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict with the Local Government of Plaridel, Castro, and Tamano denied they surrendered to the government forces, saying they were abducted by the military and forced to confess that they are leftists.

Asked about the possible backlash of the incident, Galido said the Philippine Army is ready to face criminal charges should Tamano and Castro really feel violated by the soldiers' act.

"We are a country of laws we follow the rule of law, if you are affected, if your rights are violated then file a case and if there are soldiers violating the law well you've heard, we went after those soldiers who violated the law, we do not condone, the army does not condone violation of the law," he pointed out.

The Philippine Army earlier said that there's no reason to relieve the battalion commander—whose officers are accused of abducting Castro and Tamano.

"We don't see any violation but if there are other parties who did see a violation, then file a case, we are open, and it's through filing that we can resolve things right and it's only through the filing of cases, issues will be decided and situation understood clearly," Galido noted.

"Based on simple narrative, they were the ones who reached for us, asked for assistance and we just facilitated," he added.