Slain botanist's ashes to be scattered in Sierra Madre

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The ashes of a prominent botanist killed in a supposed crossfire between Army troops and communist rebels in Leyte last year, will be scattered in the Sierra Madre mountain range starting today.

Perla Visorro, of the Cagayan Valley Partners in People’s Development, said the ashes of Dr. Leonardo Co will be scattered in Isabela’s coastal town of Palawan and other parts of the Sierra Madre range until April 23.

The country’s longest mountain range, Sierra Madre straddles Luzon’s eastern part, from Cagayan in the northernmost to Quezon in southern Luzon. 

“It is the Conservation International which is coordinating the distribution of the remains of Dr. Co,” said Visorro.

Reports said no less than Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje will lead the scattering of Co’s ashes in Palanan town where the botanist had stayed for months studying the local flora.

Co, known for his botanical discoveries and breakthroughs, is also a member of the Arlington, Virginia-based Conservation International, a non-profit organization advocating protection of the world’s ecosystems and biodiversity. 

Co, together with Visorro’s group, discovered what is believed to be one of the world’s biggest flowers in the hinterlands of the northern Sierra Madre in Cagayan in May 2008.

The flower, which has no roots, stems, and leaves, was later named Rafflesia leonardi in Co’s honor.

The flower, Visorro said, is only found along the coast of Cagayan’s Lallo town, which is part of the northern Sierra Madre range.

Co and two of his companions, forest guard Sofronio Cortez and farmer Julius Borromeo, were scouring the hinterlands of Leyte’s Kananga town for another research work on a type of tree, including its possible medicinal or health value, when they were hit in the crossfire in the encounter between Army troops and the rebels last November.

Some quarters, however, believe that the incident was a case of mistaken identity where Co’s group was thought to be part of a New People’s Army band with which the military had earlier clashed.