More than two months after suspected 22nd IB and 9th ID agents abducted Gerald Gestole, his relatives and human rights groups have once again demanded that state forces surface and release him safely and immediately. Gestole was abducted on November 17, 2024 around 4:30 pm at a tricycle stand in Barangay Crysanthemum, San Pedro, Laguna.

Gestole was on his way home with his 19-year-old younger brother from Robinson’s Mall when four men picked him up and forced him into a white Mitsubishi L300. After the incident, Gestole’s family immediately issued a statement in the barangay and the police station.

In the latest Karapatan-Bikol statement, the family shared that the police seem to have investigated them instead of the abduction incident. “The PNP even feigned kindness by escorting them home when it actually aimed to illegally search their home. The mother and daughter were forced to let a police officer into the house to prove they have nothing illegal in their home,” according to the group.

Later, Gestole’s mother received a call from Gerald who said he was abducted by “rebel returnees” turned state agents. The soldiers forced Gerald to call for the surrender of his father who they accused of being a New People’s Army (NPA)-Sorsogon member.

The Gestole family’s investigation revealed that the 2nd IB charged Gerald with two charges of murder and one of attempted murder in October 2024.

“The AFP should be condemned for this modus operandi of violating the rights [of the victims] and their entire families through continuous coercion and intimidation,” Karapatan-Bikol said.

The group likened this incident to what the Estiller family suffered in February 2024, when five men abducted Jose Marie Estiller in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The 903rd Brigade under the 9th ID currently still detains Jose Marie in the camp at Castilla, Sorsogon. He is also facing charges in Sorsogon.

“That Gerald Gestole is also being illegally held by the 9th ID is not surprising,” the group said. They added that this action is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and the laws of war.

According to the group, the soldiers are also in violation of proper judicial processes by illegally abducting the accused in order to coerce and exploit him for counterinsurgency.