Fallen environmentalist awarded by the Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan

This year Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan honors the three fallen environmentalist whose dedication are unmeasured. Service and devotion to the people, defense of the environment and natural patrimony, leadership, and integrity are the factors of the judges to consider.

The two recipient for Gawad sa Indibidwal are:

Dr. Gerry Ortega, a wildlife veterinarian and staunch anti-mining advocate, was shot dead last January 24. His family has accused the former Palawan governor Joel Reyes for the killing whom criticize by Ortega in his anti corrurption campaign but Reyes denied the allegation. Reyes was cleared from the crime from the Department of Justice panel.

Datu Tomas Ito, an indigenous leader, died of illness on February 2, 2010, after a lifetime of protecting the Lumad in Mindanao. He was instrumental in defending their territories from the construction of power plants that could have destroyed the natural landscape.

Natatanging Gawad Awardee is Leonardo Co, a botanist, conservation biologist and teacher, was killed on November 15, 2010, after the military allegedly opened fire on him and his team while they were in Leyte for a reforestation project. The government troops involved have denied targeting Co and said they were going after a rebel group.

The ceremony was done at Miriam College last December 7 and well atteded by the family of the awardees.