Filipino scientist’s death shocks rights groups

UCAnews.com
Published Date: November 18, 2010
By D'Jay Lazaro and Annie Ruth Sabangan, Manila

The death of Filipino scientist Leonardo Co and his companions, who were shot in the mountains of the central Philippine province of Leyte has shocked human rights and civil society groups which are demanding an inquiry.

The military says Co, forest guard Sofronio Cortez and farmer Julius Borromeo were killed on Nov. 15 after being caught in the crossfire of a firefight between government troops and communist rebels.

Co’s other companions who survived the incident said there was no crossfire.

The scientist, who for years helped rural communities systematize the knowledge of traditional healers about medicinal plants, was doing field research at the time.

“It is unfortunate that the lives of innocent civilians… had to be cut short by continuing hostilities,” said Senator Pia Cayetano.

Father Marlon Lacal, co-executive secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, urged authorities to “immediately look” into the killing of Co and his companions.

“The government should be able to know who perpetrated the crime, otherwise there will be perception that it is tolerating injustice,” Father Lacal told ucanews.com.

Leftist lawmakers Teddy Casino and Neri Javier Colmenares filed resolutions in Congress calling for the immediate investigation of the incident.

Senator Cayetano said the government should conduct an independent probe to ascertain the cause of Co’s death.

Pro-environment groups also condemned the killing. The People’s Network for the Environment said the death of Co and his companions a “big loss not only to the scientific community but also to the cause of environmental conservation.”

The group said the Philippine Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion should be held responsible for the death of the researchers. Lt. Col. Federico Tutaan, the battalion’s commanding officer, was earlier quoted as saying the soldiers started the shooting. He later withdrew his statement.

“Given the situation, the Philippine Army should have prioritized the protection and safety of the civilians,” the pro-environment group said in a statement.