Surface Environmental Defenders Eco Dangla III 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.
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:
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
AKAP KA Manila Bay
Save Sual Movement
Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG)
Kabataan Partylist Pasay
Assert Socio-economic Initiatives Network (ASCENT)
350.org Pilipinas
League of Filipino Students – UP Diliman
Philippine Normal University-Luntian (PNU-LUNTIAN)
UP Pi Sigma Fraternity
KARAPATAN
Church People – Workers Solidarity
Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women
Rural Women Advocates
Inklusibo – Philippine Resource Center for Inclusive Development
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend)
Church People – Workers Solidarity (CWS)
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
Kadamay Malabon at Navotas
Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND)
Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance
Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Religious Discernment Group (RDG)
Taripnong Cagayan Valley
STAND UP CSWCD (STAND UP College of Social Work and Community Development)
Freedom from Debt Coalition
DAKILA
Ilog Pasiglahin
AGHAM Advocates of Science and Technology for the People
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
Tanggol Magsasaka
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)
LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights)
Commission on Service to Human Promotion
Medical Mission Sisters
College of Arts and Sciences – UP Manila
Pangasinan People’s Council / Urdaneta City People’s Council
Agham Youth PUP
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Cebu
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
Panalipdan Youth Davao
Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Anakbayan Kalinga
BINNADANG Amianan
TAKDER (Cordillera Youth Movement for Democracy and Prosperity)
Protect Sierra Madre for the People (PSM)
ACT UNION CAR
Diocese of Antipolo Social Action Center
Alay Sining
Alay Sining KAL
Anakbayan Metro-Baguio
Anakbayan UST
Panday Sining CSB
Sanlakas
APIT TAKO (Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera)
Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI)
Bahaghari Metro Manila
Living Laudato Si’ Philippines
Bayan Muna Partylist
The Pitak Project
Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE)
Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
SALiGAN sa CSSP
Alliance of Concerned Teachers Region 1 Union
Water for the People Network
Justice and Peace Advocates of Kalinga (JPAK)
Timpuyog dagiti Mannalon ti Kalinga
Zero Waste Baguio Incorporated
Zambales Ecological Network Inc
People’s Choice Movement
La Union Peace and Justice Advocates
BUNYOG (PAGKAKAISA) PARTY
Integral Ecology Ministry
KAUSABAN,INC.
Others requested to not be named
International:
Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders
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
POSSIBLE FUTURES
Oceana Philippines International
Front Line Defenders
WALHI South Sulawesi
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France(JMBF)
Manipur International Youth Centre
Feminista Revolucionária(FERA)
Palangkaraya Ecological and Human Rights Studies (PROGRESS)
Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (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
International Association of People’s Lawyers
Alliance for Future Generations – Fiji
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
The Story of Stuff Project
Migrante
ECOTON Foundation
Consumers’ Association of Penang
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia)
WasteLess
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
Aliansi Zero Waste Indonesia
National Forum for Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN)
Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria
Mae Nam Khone Institute
Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC)
Indian Social Action Forum
Growthwatch
NGO Forum on ADB
Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network
Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine
PAN ASIA PACIFIC
IBON Africa
Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria)
Basel Action Network
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
WALHI/Friends of the Earth Indonesia
PowerShift
Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE)
Nexus3 Foundation
Front commun pour la protection de l’environnement et des espèces protégés
KOTHOWAIN (Vulnerable Peoples Development Organization) Bandarban Hill Tract, BANGLADESH
Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)
Friends of the Earth Australia
Climate Rights International
IBON International
Columban Missionaries
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Biofuelwatch
Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions
Malaya Canada
Manushya Foundation
Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns
Zero Waste Society
International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL)
Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network
Focus on the Global South
Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Anakbayan Ottawa
National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
Human Rights Defenders(HRD)
MiningWatch Canada
Asociación Ecológica Santo Tomás, A.C.
FASE – Espírito Santo (Brazil)
Campanha Antipetroleira Nem Um Poço a Mais! (Brazil)
FORUM-ASIA
Oilwatch International
Rainforest Rescue – Switzerland
Gabriela Aotearoa
Filguys Gabriela Hongkong
Fenceline Watch (US)
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
Anglican Justice and Peace Unit
Milk Tea Alliance Thailand
Global Witness
Revolutionaire Eenheid
Maya Solidarity
Creatively United for the Planet Society
ICHRP-Canada (International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines Canada Chapter)
MIGRANTE CANADA
WECF International – Women Engage for a Common Future
Migrante Ottawa
Anakbayan Montreal
ICCDI Africa (International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa)
Soil of Cultures
Plastic Free Future
FracTracker Alliance
Gabriela Aotearoa New Zealand
Peace Movement Aotearoa
Khadija Leadership Network
Earth Thrive
7th Generation Advisors
International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Anakbayan Aotearoa
Zero Waste Ithaca
Inland Ocean Coalition
PODER (Project on Organization, Development, Education and Research)
MARBE SA (Costa Rica)
Save our Susquehanna PA
South Coast Neighbors United
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Filguys Gabriela Hongkong
Broward Clean Air / Compost For Life
Others requested to not be named
