The League of Filipino Students (LFS) is one with Palaweños and the Filipino people in commemorating the death of Dr. Gerry Ortega two years ago last Jan. 24.
Until now, suspects have only been identified and the masterminds remain at large.
As a radio broadcaster and an environmentalist, Doc Gerry was well-known for being a strong critic of foreign mining projects in Palawan, working with indigenous people to protect the land from environmental destruction. He advocated for a mining moratorium in Palawan.
The worsening environmental conditions call on fearless and critical people like Doc Gerry and other environmental activists to come to Mother Nature’s rescue. Now, more than ever, the US intrusion into Philippine waters that caused great damage to the Tubbataha Reef only exposes the Americans’ lack of respect for the environment and their persistence in wreaking environmental plunder and destruction.
Worse, the Philippine government chooses to be insincere as it saves the face of the United States and other foreign companies while silencing their critics and dissenters and letting the killers roam free.
The LFS calls on the Palaweños and the rest of the Filipino people to continue the struggles started by Doc Gerry and other environmental activists like him. We will not stop until justice has been given these defenders, and the pro-imperialist and anti-people policies on resources are ended for good.
—MIGUEL CRUZ,
deputy secretary general,
League of Filipino Students,
lfsnewsalert@gmail.com