Gov’t concerned over violence against land defenders

“The government will always be concerned with respect to any violence inflicted against the citizens of this country, whether done by outside forces or by those inside this country,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday expressed concern over a Britain-based watchdog’s report which showed that the Philippines is the most dangerous place for land and environmental activists.

In its report, Global Witness saw 30 murders of people who defended their homes, lands and natural resources from exploitation in the Philippines in 2018.

“The government will always be concerned with respect to any violence inflicted against the citizens of this country, whether done by outside forces or by those inside this country,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo, however, acknowledged how killings took place due to conflicts among claimants of particular lands.

“Well, that happens. If there are conflicts among claimants of a particular land, killings occur because of the viciousness of the rivalry between the claimants,” Panelo said.

The second most dangerous country for land activists is Colombia with 24 deaths followed by India with 23 deaths in 2018.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) earlier expressed concern over the environmental human rights defenders around the world.

The 47-member body approved a resolution calling for the protection of environmental human rights defenders during its 40th session in Geneva, Switzerland on March this year.

Under the resolution, the human rights body stressed the need to develop protection mechanisms for environmental human rights defenders.