Paje alarmed over killing of forest rangers

MANILA, Philippines -  Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje is alarmed at the rising number of environment protectors killed in the line of duty.

“Today is the most dangerous time for those working for the good of the environment,” he said. “Environment protection has been very costly now.”

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Paje said a total of 15 workers for the environment have been killed during the Aquino administration.

One is killed every 20 days, he added.

Paje said killed in the line of duty are foresters, forest rangers, forest guards, tree marker, anti-mining advocates and broadcasters.

Out of the 15 casualties, six are from the government and nine belonged to non-government organizations, he added.

Reports reaching Paje said an operation of the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force in the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley resulted in the death of two personnel and the wounding of four others.

Paje said authorities seized three bulldozers and five logging trucks from illegal logging operators.

“This will be a very difficult task for us since these operators are being backed up by politicians,” he said.

Paje said he will be writing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to seek their assistance in giving protection to environment workers.

“Local officials as well as civil society groups will also be consulted on this matter,” he said.

Paje said they would apply the “social fencing” strategy and tap local communities to help curb the spate of killings of forest guards.

“Our proposal is that we utilize communities, the local government units and we will do some ‘social fencing’ to be vigilant and protect forests,” he said. “They themselves can act as forest protectors. The participating communities will in turn benefit from the government’s conditional cash transfer program.”