MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday extended its “deepest and most sincere” condolences to the family and friends of the late former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, saying that it cherished the work shared with her in enforcing environmental laws during her short stint as a Cabinet official.
“If only for a short while during her incumbency a DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Secretary, the PNP is proud to cherish the work we shared with Ma’am Gina in enforcing environmental laws, particularly against destructive mining activities,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement.
READ: Ex-DENR chief Gina Lopez passes away
Banac said the PNP was “deeply saddened” by the death of Lopez.“Her various advocacies and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. She will continue to be an inspiration as the PNP pursues its core values of ‘maka-Diyos, makabayan, makatao, at makakakalikasan’,” Banac said.
Lopez, who was appointed as DENR chief in 2016 by President Rodrigo Duterte but whose selection was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in March 2017, died at the age of 65 after battling brain cancer.
She was a staunch critic of mining operations found to have violated environmental laws.
/atm