Save Sierra Madre Network condemns violent attack
A Save Sierra Madrew Network Statement
May 23, 2007
Save Sierra Madre Network condemns the violent attack on Isabela’s Provincial Task Force on Forest Protection
We, the member organizations and coalitions of the Save Sierra Madre Network strongly condemn the recent violent attack on one of our member-partners, Isabela’s Provincial Task Force on Forest Protection. Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca established this multisectoral task force to re-activate the drive against rampant illegal logging in her province. Tanggol Kalikasan (TK or Defense of Nature), a public interest environmental law office, was tapped to help in this re-juvenated campaign against illegal logging. Since last year, a number of “hot” or illegal logs have been
intercepted or confiscated by the task force.
On May 15 (Friday) 2009, after their five-day anti-logging operation in the upper section of the Sierra Madre, the task force made their way back to their base camp in Ilagan,Isabela, while carrying with them four (4) illegal chainsaws they had confiscated, along with some 10,000 board feet of freshly cut hard-wood. In addition, during this particular operation, they were able to document the sightings of some Philippine eagles in a virgin
forest area.
At the banks of the Bincatan River, they were suddenly attacked by armed men using M-16 armalite guns and M-203 grenade launchers. It is widely perceived that these band of armed men are being paid by a logging syndicate to protect their illegal activities. During the attack, a senior enforcement officer of TK, Estancia “Jay” Lim was hit by shrapnel.
We echo Lim’s lament that the attack demonstrated the “boldness of environmental criminals.” We are angered by the ruthlessness, callousness, and greediness of the financiers, their protectors, and leaders of the illegal logging syndicates. Their lust for more profit and power not only lead them to rape the forests and mountains, but condition others to be ready to hurt and kill to promote and protect their interests. In response to the worsening forest degradation and challenge of climate change, we, the members of a broad network of local stakeholders, church groups, and non-government organizations (NGOs), have decided to bind ourselves to protect Sierra Madre’s fragile
ecosystems from destructive logging, mining and other extractive practices. We have formed the Save Sierra Madre Network, which is committed to using active non-violent means as citizen's arrest in protecting the forests, obtaining swift justice related to environmental issues/problems, and pursuing solutions to escalating environmental offenses.
We, the SSM Network join the clamor of the many environmental organizations and networks belonging to Green Convergence, a movement advocating “safe food, healthy environment, and sustainable economy.” We applaud Gov. Grace Padaca, a lead convenor of the SSM Network, as well as other local government officials who promote ecological governance, environmental justice, and the rights of marginalized sectors.
We call on the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) to critically assess itself and effectively address the alleged corruption of some of its officials, as well as to give more teeth and funds for its forest protection program.
We demand speedy justice for Eustacio Lim and other environmental activists who have suffered before him.
We deplore the deafening silence of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) Administration over these violent attacks against the defenders and protectors of the environment.
We appeal to all other Filipinos to join us in our prayers for the conversion of the “environmental criminals” and to participate more actively in protecting our national patrimony and environment.
Signed for Save Sierra Madre Network:
Fr. Pedro Montallana
Task Force Sierra Madre (TFSM), Infanta, Quezon
Bro. Martin Francisco, bsmp,
Chairman/President, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Inc. (SSMESI), Bulacan
References:
ALTEResearch. Interview with Estacio Lim conducted by the Alternative Research for Empowerment for
the Save Sierra Madre Network on May 22, 2009.
Mallari, Delfin. “Anti-Logging Exec Wounded in Isabela Forest Attack.” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 19
May 2008, p. A8.
Notes: The GREEN CONVERGENCE for Safe Food, Healthy Environment, and Sustainable
Economy (Green Convergence) includes many organizations and the following networks: Save Sierra
Madre Network, Magkaisa Junk JPEPA (MJJ) Coalition, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), No to GMOs
Coalition, Anti-Laiban Campaign, EcoWaste Coalition, Philippine Federation for Environmental
Concerns (FPEC), Environmental Education Network of the Philippines (EENP), and Justice, Peace, and
Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC) - Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines
(AMRSP).