Report: Philippines still worst in Asia for environment defenders

MANILA, Philippines — More than a week after two environmental activists were seized in Bataan, a new report showed that the Philippines remains the worst country for environment defenders in Asia.

The report, published by non-profit Global Witness yesterday, said that 11 of the 16 killings it monitored in Asia last year occurred in the Philippines, three were in Indonesia and two in India.

Worldwide, the Philippines ranked fifth after Colombia with 60, Brazil with 34, Mexico with 31 and Honduras with 14.

There were at least 177 killings of land and environment defenders worldwide in 2022, bringing the total number documented by Global Witness since 2012 to 1,910.

Although lower than those reported in the Amazon, the situation in the Philippines stands out as it consistently remains on top of the ranking in the region for the past decade.

According to the report, at least 281 killings of environment defenders were reported in the Philippines since 2012.

A third involves those who speak out against company operations linked to the mining sector.

“The criminalization of defenders and rights advocates is widespread, with ‘red-tagging’ – the government practice of accusing activists of being communist insurgents – commonly used to silence critics and communities,” read the report.

“At the time of writing, a bill seeking to protect human rights defenders and punish acts of intimidation or violence against them has just been approved at the committee level at the House of Representatives – marking a positive step for the protection of defenders. However, a government statement called the bill ‘dangerous and destructive’ for the country,” it added.

Global Witness’ list of environment defenders killed in the Philippines last year included the so-called New Bataan 5 slain in Davao de Oro on Feb. 24, 2022.

Volunteer Lumad teachers Chad Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II, community health worker Elgyn Balonga and drivers Tirso Añar and Robert Aragon were killed in what the military claimed was an encounter with the New People’s Army.

The victim’s families and various human rights groups have denied they were communist rebels.

The list also included poet-activist Ericson Acosta as well as Richard Mendoza, Joseph Jimenez, Silvestre Fortades Jr., Rose Marie Galias and Eugene Lastrella.

“For too long, those responsible for lethal attacks against defenders have been getting away with murder. Violence, intimidation and harassment are also being inflicted to silence defenders around the world,” said Shruti Suresh, co-director of campaigns at Global Witness.

“Governments around the world must urgently address the senseless killings of those who stand up for our planet, including for the protection of its most precious ecosystems, which have a critical role to play in tackling the climate emergency. United action is needed at regional, national and international levels to end the violence and injustice they face. Far too many lives have already been lost. We cannot afford to lose any more,” Suresh said.