On the 100th day of the killing of Leonardo Co and his teammates, Justice remains elusive

A reminder from U.P. Kilos Na:

Tomorrow is the 100th day of the killing of Leonardo Co, UP botanist and his teammates Sofronio Cortez of the EDC and Julius Borromeo of the Tongonan Farmers Association (ToFa). UP Kilos na shares the UPD University Council statement approved last Nov. 26, 2010. We also enjoin the UP community to join the picket tomorrow at the Department of Justice, Padre Faura, City of Manila at 9 am. (from: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187241131315886&index=1)

Editor's note: We are also embedding the official statement of the University Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman on the killing of Leonard Co and his teammates: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/octnovdec08/articles/justice_leonardo_co2010.html

Scientists group condemns DoJ whitewash of U.P. botanist's death

"A whitewash-- this is how the scientist group AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People called the findings of the Department of Justice fact-finding panel that cleared the military of any wrongdoing on the death of Leonard Co, forest guard Sofronio Cortez and farmer Julius Borromeo last November 15 in Kananga, Leyte."

“The DOJ panel totally ignored the testimony of the witnesses that attest to the culpability of the military on the death of the Kananga 3”, said Dr. Tapang, chairperson of AGHAM and convenor of the Justice for Leonard Co Movement."

Read the rest here: https://sites.google.com/a/agham.org/justice-for-leonard-co/home/justice-for-leonard-co-movement-updates/scientistsgroupcondemnsdojwhitewashofbotanistdeath

Philstar.com: DOJ Clears AFP of role in death of U.P. Botanist Leonard Co

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared government troops of any liability in the killing of noted botanist Leonardo Co and two guides in an encounter with communist rebels in Leyte last November.

In a 26-page report, a fact-finding panel composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Diosdado Solidum Jr. and Bryan Jacinto Cacha and lawyer Romulo Asis of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Death Investigation Division said the soldiers involved in the firefight were not responsible for the death of 56-year-old Co, Sofronio Cortez and Julius Borromeo.

The bullets that killed the three, according to the panel, came from the lines of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Read the rest here: Philstar.com: DOJ Clears AFP of role in death of U.P. Botanist Leonard Co

Actions taken thus far by DOJ on Maguindanao Massacre and the case of U.P. botanist Leonard Co - Secretary Leila M. de Lima

Editor's note: The following are the salient points of Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima’s press briefing on November 24, 2010 on the following pending issues:

Maguindanao massacre cases 

• The Justice Secretary issued today Department Circular No. 800 dated 22 November 2010 designating Undersecretary Francisco F. Baraan III as the Supervising Undersecretary for the Prosecution Panel in the Ampatuan cases, “People v. Ampatuan, et. al.” and such other cases related thereto, “to ensure effective coordination between the private and public prosecutors and close monitoring of the case developments.” Specifically, Usec. Baraan is tasked to regularly meet with the Prosecution Panel, attend case briefings and hearings, and make appropriate recommendations for the efficient prosecution of the cases.

Leonardo F. Co, et. al. case 

• The Justice Secretary created a Fact-Finding Investigation Panel under Department Order No. 799 composed of Asst. State Prosecutors Diosdado B. Solidum and Bryan Jacinto S. Cacha from the National Prosecution Service and Chief DID Atty. Romulo Asis of the National Bureau of Investigation.
• The panel which is tasked to conduct a “thorough investigation on the facts and circumstances surrounding” the death of Leonardo F. Co, et. al. shall coordinate with the NBI, Leyte and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Leyte and such other offices and agencies to gather, assess and evaluate evidence. They are given 30 days from receipt of the Order within which to submit their written report and recommendation on whether an appropriate complaint for preliminary investigation may be filed.

(Source: http://www.gov.ph/2010/11/24/salient-points-of-nov-24-doj-press-briefing-on-maguindanao-massacre-and-up-botanist-case/)

Statement: Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Inc. calls for Justice for their late President Leonard Co

November 20, 2010

We, the members of the Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society, mourn the loss of our beloved founder and leader, Leonardo Co.

We express our moral indignation and condemn the senseless killing of a brilliant and irreplaceable mind.

We decry the nonchalance of a military that dismisses this tragedy as a mere “unfortunate incident”. This is a profound understatement. The void created by Professor Co's sudden departure is unquantifiable and the damage done will have exponential repercussions that will only be apparent in the years to come.

It is with sublime irony that while illegal loggers, poachers, miners, and kaingeros rape, plunder and defile our natural resources at will, we never hear of the apprehension of these criminals, much less, with the rabid intensity suffered by one who has passionately dedicated his entire life caring for our environment. How can this champion of conservation suffer at the hands of his supposed guardians? What justifies excessive firepower on unarmed civilians obviously incapable of retaliation? The military continues to defend the grave abuse of power and justifies what is clearly an indefensible position.

If this can happen to a Leonardo Co, what more for other researchers doing field work in this country? This causes great alarm to the scientific community. Scientists and volunteers receive meager compensation for their services, but it is their passion, dedication and love for country that motivates them in enduring in this thankless profession. Does every researcher and their family have to fear for their lives going up the mountains?

Leonard Co once said “sa Pilipinas ang hustisya ay parang pag taya sa lotto”. Let us hope that in this, at least, he will be proven wrong. Let us hope that he, together with the 2 other victims, will be given justice for their senseless death. This is a direct challenge to the new administration.

Leonard Co did not only die with his boots on, he died doing what he loved most - understanding the last secrets of our vanishing forest. We hope that his legacy and sacrifice would inspire this generation to be more vigilant against the crimes and abuse of this nation towards our environment.

In behalf of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, we express our deepest sympathies and say our prayers for the families and loved ones of the three fatalities. But we demand justice and accountability.

Diliman Videos of the Week: 1. Dr. Perry Ong talks about Leonard Co, The Scientist and 2. Dr. Perry Ong on News Reports on Death of Leonard Co.

Video 1



Video 2