We, the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines (CEC) and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (PNE) from the Philippines are raising the alarm over the latest red-tagging of Kalikasan PNE and its staff during the holiday season.
Recently, the Philippines bore the brunt of 2020’s most powerful typhoon Rolly followed by Typhoon Ulysses. Both typhoons resulted in death toll of 25 and 73, respectively. The Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that damages in the agricultural sector in the Cagayan Valley region alone have already reached ₱2 billion.
Killings of environmental defenders continued in the country even during the COVID-19 crisis. Within the period of enhanced community quarantine, 2 have been killed, while 553 others suffered other forms of human rights violations.
The government’s track for the new normal became more evident in the past weeks. Destructive operations have continued at the expense of small fisherfolk, and false solutions are being used to protect business interests.
Among the modern-day heroes are environmental defenders who tirelessly devote their work in protecting the vast land and seas, and the rich natural wonders of the nation from local and foreign plunder of large corporations. They have risked and some have sacrificed their lives during their call of duty.
Several posters slandering land and environment defenders were posted outside Sta. Ana Church in Davao City’s proper earlier this August. Among the faces involved were environment advocates Ms. Meggie Nolasco and Dr. Jean Lindo. Ms. Nolasco was a former staff in CEC while Dr. Lindo is a member of the Environmental Defenders Congress, which was co-convened by CEC.
