Within three days, relatives, friends and fellow activists compelled state forces and the Marcos regime to release Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong. The two were abducted at 8 pm on March 24 in Barangay Polo, San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Human rights groups announced on March 27 that “the two are no longer in the hands of their abductors, extremely battered, but alive”.

Witnesses say the two were abducted after an SUV blocked the tricycle they were riding. Two to three people from the SUV and another on a motorcycle mauled them and forced them into the vehicle, according to them. They also heard Tiong shouting for help.

Dangla, 39, is a former student of the University of the Philippines and is currently the spokesperson of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Pangasinan. Tiong, 29 and a graduate of Universidad de Dagupan, is the coordinator of Kabataan Partylist in the province. They are both convenors of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment, a group that stands against the black sand mining and the construction of a nuclear power plant in the province. Prior to the incident, state armed forces have subjected Tiong and Dangla to relentless Red-tagging, surveillance, intimidation and other forms of harassment.

Massive search and public campaigning helped a lot to surface the victims. Their abduction incident was immediately reported and posted on social media, statements were issued and drew the support of environmental groups and others. It was also promptly reported on television.

Human rights defenders also immediately protested on March 25 in Quezon City to condemn the abduction of the two by AFP and PNP agents. Teams were also formed to comb military camps and police stations for the victims’ whereabouts.

As part of the campaign, relatives of Dangla and Tiong, along with Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel, church people and other groups went to Camp Lt. Tito B Abat, Barangay Calaoacan, Manaoag, Pangasinan, camp of the 702nd IBde, 7th ID. They asked camp officers and filed an “inquiry” related to the report on the enforced disappearance of Dangla and Tiong.