Greenpeace seeks justice for slain ‘lumad’ teachers

According to the Army, volunteer teacher Chad Booc was killed in an encounter in Davao del Oro.

MANILA, Philippines — The environmental group Greenpeace on Sunday called on the government to stop the culture of violence and impunity in the country as it decried the red-tagging and killing of volunteer teacher Chad Booc and his companions.

In a statement, Greenpeace hailed Booc as an environmental advocate, a youth leader, and a mentor to fellow youth who are calling for climate action.

Booc and four others were killed in an alleged armed encounter with Army soldiers in Davao de Oro province on Thursday.

“We call on our incumbent and aspiring government leaders to stop the culture of violence and impunity that seeks to stifle dissent and persecute those who peacefully work to defend marginalized sectors and the environment,” Greenpeace said.

The environmental group said protecting marginalized sectors such as the indigenous communities and the environment “entails defending their defenders and listening to their calls for action.”

They demanded justice for Booc and his companions and urged the government to protect activists from persecution and abuse.

“Climate and environmental protection can only be successful when we have a government that supports people’s participation in all aspects of governance, protects and defends human rights, promotes transparency and information disclosure, and fights corruption,” Greenpeace said.

In a separate statement on Sunday, Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat also condemned the killings.

Cullamat said Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II were volunteer teachers for “lumad” schools in Mindanao and not terrorists.

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