Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday disclosed the perjury and grave scandal charges against two environmental activists who declared that soldiers had abducted them after they went missing in Bataan last month.
In a media forum over the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Teodoro said the cases were already filed two weeks ago against Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro.
"I reviewed the case personally and I am convinced that they were liable. "Hindi ifa-file ang kaso kung hindi malakas (We won't file the case unless it is strong)," Teodoro pointed out.
The defense chief said subpoenas have already been issued marking the preliminary investigation.
"Now, it's up to the prosecutors already. They will be given due process. I will not allow serious processes to be used as a key attempt to shame the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Teodoro stressed, as he also enjoined the AFP to strictly follow military procedures.
He said the authorities had enough evidence to discredit the claims of the two activists, including their link to the communist movement.
Teodoro said Tamano and Castro's recanted statements could have been "scripted" to humiliate and dishonor the military.
"Well, the AFP acted in good faith. Even the stepfather of one of the surrenderees who was there, he ensured that these two were not intimidated or abducted. He even offered to provide private counsel to his stepdaughter… So, this was a scripted act to embarrass [the military]," he said.
Tamano and Castro were reported missing in Orion, Bataan on 2 September.
The two narrated that they were actively assisting fisherfolk who were affected by reclamation activities at Manila Bay when the military abducted them.
They eventually surfaced in a government-organized press conference in Plaridel Municipality on 19 September, where they accused the military of coercing and threatening them to surrender.
