P-Noy orders: Arrest forest guard's killers

Manila, Philippines - President Aquino ordered the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday to go after the killers of a forest guard in Laguna.

“The President instructed the PNP and the NBI to capture the killers of forest guard Elpidio Malinao in Laguna as soon as possible. “At the same time we are extending our condolences to the family of Mr. Malinao,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Malinao served as a forest guard at the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystem covering Mt. Makiling. He was gunned down on Monday in Barangay Maitim, Bay, Laguna after attending a court hearing.

President Aquino led the awarding of “environmental heroes” at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City on Friday. Malinao was the seventh protector of the environment given due posthumous recognition. The President recognized the efforts and contributions of the forest guards to protect the environment even at the risk of losing their lives. He expressed hope that they would serve as models for dedication and professionalism among the Filipinos.

Among the DENR employees who received the posthumous award included: Kennedy Eber Bayani of Apayao province, Rolando Sinday and Jacinto Dragas of Surigao del Sur and Pierre Gillo of Samar. Non-DENR employees are Nelson Luna and Christopher Mazo of Surigao del Sur.

The families of the victims will receive financial assistance, livelihood support, and scholarship grants, according to the President.

The President planted a narra seedling at the Heroes Park at the back of the DENR building in Quezon City following the awarding ceremony, which is one of the highlights of the National Greening Program  he launched earlier.

The Heroes Park was established in 1995 as a way of paying tribute to the men and women of the DENR who perished defending their ideals of protecting the environment.