skip to content

For 11th year, Philippines still deadliest place in Asia for environmental defenders

mining act protest denr march 4 2024 006 scaled 1
A total of 17 environmental defenders were killed in the Philippines in 2023, according to a Global Witness report

MANILA, Philippines – For the 11th year, the Philippines remained the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders, according to the latest report from Global Witness released on Monday, September 9.

Seventeen environmental defenders were killed in the Philippines in 2023, the report said, out of the 196 killed around the world. This brings the number of such killings in the Philippines to 298 since Global Witness started counting in 2012.

Cases in the Philippines now make up 64% of the recorded environmental killings in Asia, and placing it third in the world with the most number of killings.

The murders of the activists were linked to the mining, fishing, logging, agribusiness, infrastructure, and hydropower industries.

The report came with an acknowledgement of defenders murdered with a list and the dates of their death.

South African human rights activist Nonhle Mbuthuma said in her foreword, “This report shows that in every region of the world, people who speak out and call attention to the harm caused by extractive industries – like deforestation, pollution and land grabbing – face violence, discrimination and threats.”

Here are the Filipino environmental defenders acknowledged by Global Witness:

  • Antonio Diwayan
  • Arjie Velasco Salvador
  • Bea Lopez
  • Ben Fausto
  • Crispin Tingal Jr.
  • Danny Malinao
  • Dexter Capuyan
  • Emelda Fausto
  • Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus
  • Jose Gonzales
  • Lee Sudario
  • Mariano Jolongbayan
  • Norman Ortiz
  • Peter Agravante
  • Ravin Fausto
  • Rey Almario Belan
  • Roly Fausto

A disproportionate number of those killed were indigenous people, the report noted. Even relatives did not escape attacks. A third of such attacks had been made against women relatives.

The Philippines follows four Latin American countries — Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico — in the list with most killings.

Still, many killings go unrecorded

The killings of Filipino environmental defenders recorded last year does not paint the whole picture.

According to environmental network Kalikasan’s own monitoring, there had been 21 killings and 11 abductions involving 19 environmental defenders in 2023.

Those who are not killed face a grim living reality: attacks, abductions, trumped-up charges, and other forms of harassment.

Jonila Castro, advocacy officer of Kalikasan, said that the Marcos administration has “failed to stem the tide of violence against those protecting our environment and natural resources”

“Environmental defenders are being red-tagged, harassed, and murdered with impunity,” said Castro.

Castro herself was abducted by the military in 2023 in Bataan, together with fellow activist Jhed Tamano.

Castro and Tamano’s abduction story and advocacy campaigns in Manila Bay were featured in the report. They said that since their release, they continue to be at the receiving end of threats and intimidation tactics. Even their families and colleagues were not spared.

While threats impeded them from fully returning to communities, Castro and Tamano continue to work on campaigns in Manila Bay where reclamation projects and a recent oil spill pose possible harm to the ecosystem.

“For us, the experience has been transformative, but perhaps not in the way it was intended. Rather than leaving this work and finding ourselves an easy job, this has renewed our resolve to continue protecting our planet,” the two shared in the report.

– Rappler.com

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Picture of Written by <span>Iya Gozum</span>
Written by Iya Gozum
About the Foundation
Logo
Preda Foundation Inc.

The work of Preda Foundation is focused on alleviating the physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse and suffering of children and preventing abuse through community education and social media.

Share this post
Facebook
Pinterest
WhatsApp
LinkedIn
Twitter