Rowegie Abanto

Article (news)

Justice sought for 2 environmental defenders killed in Davao Oriental

Hernel Tocmo

<div><br/></div><p>DAVAO CITY — Calls for justice are mounting following the fatal shooting of two civilian environmental defenders in Barangay Puntalinao, Banaybanay town, Davao Oriental on Saturday evening, July 26.</p><p>According to the Davao Regional Police, the victims, identified as Rico Gonzaga Malubay and Rodolfo Delacruz Espe, both vendors, were shot multiple times by a lone gunman while sitting at a table near the vendors’ association area along the national highway.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/09/13/23/ph-is-5th-most-dangerous-country-for-environment-defenders-report">PH is 5th most dangerous country in the world for environment defenders: report</a></div><p>Authorities said the victims were waiting for their dinner when the assailant arrived and, without saying a word, opened fire before fleeing toward Lupon town on board a green motorcycle.</p><p>Both victims were rushed to Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Pantukan town but were declared dead on arrival.</p><p>Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the motive and identify the perpetrator.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OUTRAGE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (APILA) Center and the Ateneo Legal Aid Services Office (ALASO) strongly condemned the killings, describing the victims as &quot;barefoot lawyers&quot; who stood for land rights, environmental protection, and community development.</p><p>“These were not nameless victims. These were defenders of life, land, and dignity. Organizers. Educators. Fathers,” APILA said in its statement.</p><p>“It is maddening—and heartbreaking—that those who dream for others are often the first to be taken away.”</p><p>Espe, in particular, was remembered for his advocacy against destructive mining and his dream of establishing a peace viewing deck that would promote ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods in the area.</p><p>The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) also decried the killing, calling it part of a “disturbing pattern of violence” against environmental defenders in the Philippines.</p><p>“Rudolph fiercely opposed mining projects and policies that threatened biodiversity and the rights of Indigenous and rural communities. He exposed government corruption and fought against the collusion between public officials and destructive corporate interests,” the group stated.</p><p>Both organizations vowed to continue the advocacy and legacy of the two slain men, emphasizing that their voices and vision for a better future will not be silenced.</p><div> </div><div><strong>OTHER NEWS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KwR_8UwaWU0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The victims were waiting for their dinner when the assailant arrived and, without saying a word, opened fire before fleeing on board a green motorcycle.</p>

The victims were waiting for their dinner when the assailant arrived and, without saying a word, opened fire before fleeing on board a green motorcycle.