Honoring the fallen: Eco, human rights groups stand in tribute to slain wildlife defenders at DENR

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental and human-rights groups gathered at the main office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City on Thursday to honor slain environmental defenders.

The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) also demanded the DENR for more protection for current environmental defenders.

“Today, we honor the lives of environmental activists who were killed fighting for the protection of our natural resources and the welfare of communities. As we continue to remember them, we call on the DENR to protect and ensure the security of environmental activists so no killings will ever happen again,” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator.

ATM cited a report from the Global Witness, which stated that at least 270 climate defenders in the Philippines died from 2012 to 2021.

READ: Climate advocates to gov’t: Stop destructive mining, reclamation projects

“These heroes have sacrificed their lives standing up against government neglect and corporate abuse. Their voices and demands should continue to be heard and acted upon, especially that the problems they confronted still persist,“ said Jhay de Jesus, national coordinator of the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDefend).

The group honored some of the slain environmental defenders: Armin Marin, Boy Billanes, Datu Victor Danyan, Gloria Capitan, Gensun Agustin, Gerry Ortega, and Macli-ing Challiyong Dulag.

“We are here not only to honor the environmental martyrs but also to seek justice for their untimely deaths. We also demand that the assault and harassment against environmental human rights defenders be immediately stopped,” said ATM Council of Leaders’ Malou Verano.

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JPV/abc