The news about the killing of Gensun Agustin (Anti-mining activist shot dead in Cagayan 03/02/2010) immediately brought to mind the recent murder of another anti-mining advocate, Ricardo Ganad who was gunned down just a few weeks before on February 10 in Victoria, Mindoro Oriental where as President of the Association of Barangay Captains he advocated against the Mindoro Nickel Project of Intex Resources.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 November) -- My active and courageous stand in support to a contested local ordinance banning the use of aircraft for spraying as an agricultural practice and speaking out in favour of the affected citizens in the face of the obscene stance of the banana plantation companies regarding the issue of aerial spraying of pesticides, has put my medical profession and extensive experience in community medicine at stake that somehow worried many of my colleagues. Some of them warned me about my security and even advised me not to answer critics that attack my credibility for fear of further harassment.

The Arroyo government's neglect in decisively addressing the perils of pesticide-laden rice is criminal.  How many more Filipinos will have to succumb to illnesses brought about by poisoned rice before they will act?

9 June 2009

Going bananas

Dear Editor 

This is in reaction to the many news stories and columns that come out in the media including in Davao City hitting the Department of Health (DOH) study that investigated the effects of pesticides on the health and environment of Camocaan village in Davao del Sur and that recommended the banning of aerial spraying.

Eleven year olds used to just play “Chinese garters” or “patintero” on the street, otherwise, they are at home doing their homework, watching TV, or simply doing what a normal 11-year old should be doing.

We appreciate Joey Gabieta’s article on page 14 of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 2 November 2007.  The article focused on the ancestral claims of the Higaonon marchers from Sumilao, the pains of their form of struggle, and the tremendous help of support groups in Eastern Visayas such as Palo Archbishop Jose Palma.