Protecting the environment has its inherent dangers, and the life of Masungi park ranger Kuhkan Maas is a testament to it.

Maas, 33, survived a shooting incident in July 2021 after doing rounds of patrolling in a portion of the Masungi Geopark Project.

Coming from Pikit, North Cotabato, Maas moved to Rizal province in 2012 upon the invitation of his cousin.

"Sa amin kasi, medyo magulo po, tapos pinili ko na lang sa Masungi, nandito na rin naman po mga pinsan ko. Natutuwa ako sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan," Maas said.

Speaking to ABS-CBN's "Tao Po," Maas recalled the struggles when he moved to Masungi as a park ranger despite having no formal background or experience in environmental protection.

"'Yung mga bato na ganito, wala. Wala do'n sa 'min nito. Walang ganitong bundok. Bago pa nga po ako, hindi ako sanay mag-Tagalog. Nahihirapan ako. Tatlong taon bago ako natuto mag-Tagalog," Maas said.

"Nanibago po talaga ako, first time ko po magtrabaho. Nagtatrabaho ako sa palayan namin. Tinuruan po ako sa paglilinis ng halaman at mga puno po," he added.

It took him several years before he got to adjust to his new workplace. He was one of the first park rangers who installed many of the ecotourism site's attractions, including the famous "Sapot" or cobweb.

As a park ranger for more than 10 years, Maas has planted over 10,000 trees.

"Masaya ako, bilib din ako sa ginagawa ko. Tapos masaya ako, nakikita ng ibang tao yung hindi sinisira ang mga bato, nakikita mga tao 'yung mga puno," he said.

But his work in defending the environment hasn't been rosy.

"Meron pong panganib na nangyayari talaga. Yun nakaraan taon at nakaraang buwan, lagi kami sinisigawan dito. Yung barracks namin, binabato kami dito," Maas recalled.

In July 2021, some armed men attacked their barracks and fired 12 bullets in their sleeping quarters.

"Nagkataon ako nag-roving nung alas otso. Ta's 10 minutes, bumalik na ako kasi malakas ulan. Tapos nakahiga na ako. Maya-maya, binato barracks namin sa likod. Binato, malakas kalampag," he said.

"Sabi ko sa kasama ko, bumaba ka kako, patayin mo ilaw. Kasi jalousy lang kabila, baka may sununod. Sabay kami yumuko. Sinabayan kami ng putok po eh, natamaan ako, natamaan din kasamahan ko sa ulo," he added.

Maas was hit in the neck, while his fellow ranger was hit in the head. Both rangers survived the incident.

Aside from this, there were also other recorded incidents of mauling and land grabbing within the protected site.

"Siguro po, ayaw nila na pinoprotektahan namin lugar. Matagal na kami dito, marami na ako naitanim na puno. Dito na ako nakapangasawa, napamahal na ako sa trabaho," Maas said.

But despite the dangers, Maas said he remains committed to the protection of the Masungi Georeserve.

"Natatakot din naman po. Pangako ko sa sarili ko dito ako magtatagal. Kumbaga sa pamilya, pamilya ko na rin pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Kung lililipat ako sa trabaho, marami na ako naitanim na puno, masasayang pinaghirapan ko," he said.

Maas started his family in Rizal. He now has one child.

"Pangarap ko nga sa anak ko, paglaki niya, magiging ano rin niya ako eh, park ranger din siya. Makita n'ya yung tinatanim ko, maipagmamalaki niya na tinanim ni Papa yan," he said.

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