Source: DurianBurgDavao
August 18, 2010
Illegal loggers were behind the killing of broadcaster Desidario Camangyan, according to an environmental activist.
Benedictine Sister Stella Matutina said the 52-year old Camangyan was an anti-logging activist and was killed despite wielding sort of influence being a broadcast journalist.
This means, according to Matutina, that environmental activists in Davao Oriental could expect a similar bloody consequence.
Camangyan, noted for his anti-logging commentaries over radio station Sunrise FM in Mati City, was gunned down while hosting a singing contest in Mabini, Davao Oriental.
Matutina of pro-environment non-governmental organization Panalipdan said the Camangyan killing should lead environmentalists to rethink their battle to stop illegal logging and mining activities in the province.
Matutina, like other activists in the province, herself has received death threats for her environmental campaign.
Illegal logging is rampant in the province and object of a government campaign. On September 10 last year, the provincial environment officer, Eulogio Baltazar, was shot dead at a restaurant in Mati City.
But while she said that environmental activists should be worried about their safety, she said keeping their watch down could mean illegal loggers and miners would be emboldened to further violate the environment.
Police have yet to establish the motive behind the killing, but Davao Regional Police spokesman Supt. Querubin Manalang said Camangyan’s murder could have been due to his commentaries against illegal logging and mining.
We are also looking at the political angle, he said.
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