Army to pursue 'legal remedies' vs activists Castro, Tamano despite protective writs

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 30) — The Philippine Army will pursue "legal remedies" against environmental activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano even after they sought protection orders from the Supreme Court.

Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad on Saturday said while they respect the activists' rights to seek redress from the high court, this will not stop the Army from "pursuing legal remedies within the bounds of law against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano for their actions during the press conference."

In the press conference organized by the government's task force against communist rebels, Castro and Tamano denied voluntarily surrendering to authorities and claimed they were abducted by the military. 

The activists–who went missing on Sept. 2–have asked the Supreme Court to issue a writ of amparo and writ of habeas data against members of the Philippines Army, the Philippine National Police, and some government agencies.

Trinidad insisted that the army "acted in good faith" in assisting Castro and Tamano's surrender, and said the two showed "their true colors and intention to deceive their family, the government, and the Filipino people."