Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) — PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar has ordered an investigation into the shooting of two Masungi Georeserve forest rangers, who were wounded in the attack.
The rangers were shot in the head and neck on July 24 while guarding the reforestation site in Sitio San Roque in Baras, Rizal. Officials said they have received numerous threats, intimidations, and harassments in the past months.
Eleazar lamented that this was not the first time forest rangers have been threatened, with similar incidents reported in Palawan and other places. He said the PNP is coordinating with the the Department of Environment and Resources to provide training to forest rangers nationwide on threat detection and other protective measures.
“Mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan ng rangers para sa pagpapatupad ng environmental laws sa ating protected areas, partikular ang pagbabantay kontra illegal logging at iba pang mga iligal na gawain na nakasisira sa kalikasan,” he said in a statement.
He added: “Hindi natin hahayaan na maging sitting targets na lang ang mga taong nangangalaga sa ating kalikasan.”
[Translation: They play an important role in carrying out environmental laws in our protected areas, specifically in guarding against illegal logging and other destructive activities. We will not allow those who protect our environment to be targets.]
The Masungi Georeserve was created in 1996 to restore the sanctuary’s forest spaces. In 2015, the Masungi Georeserve Foundation was formed to sustain these conservation efforts.
It is widely known as a tourist spot for its scenic trails, but it is also an award-winning conservation area that preserves numerous animal and plant species, including new organisms that have been discovered within its domain. However, it is no stranger to encroachment, quarrying and land grabbing by private firms that refuse to respect its protected status.
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