Environmentalist slain in ambush

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – An environmentalist and leader of a tribal community was shot dead by unidentified assailants here Sunday afternoon.

Fausto Orasan alias Datu Sandigan, 64, of the Higaonon tribe, was on his motorcycle when he was attacked in Barangay Tuburan.

Orasan died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

City environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) Edwin Dael said the victim campaigned against illegal logging and mining.

Dael said Orasan, who survived a similar attack last year, had been part of a project that seeks to sustain the livelihood of his people.

Armed men believed to be illegal loggers and miners were spotted at the crime scene weeks before the ambush.

Dael said he and other CENRO personnel also received threats through text messages particularly after they announced the launch in October of an eco-tourism project in the area.

He said the illegal loggers and miners fear the project might expose their activities.

“We will uphold the rule of law,” Dael said as he vowed to pursue the project.