Greenpeace statement on the killing of New Bataan 5

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (26 February 2022) — Lumad volunteer teacher and climate youth mentor Chad Booc, fellow teacher Gelejurain Ngujo II, and three others — dubbed the New Bataan 5 — were killed in an alleged encounter with government troops last week.

Reacting to this, Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines Country Director Lea Guerrero said:

“As an environmental organization that values non-violence and promotes peace and justice, Greenpeace Philippines decries the red-tagging and killing of peaceful environment, human rights, and education activists, now among them Chad Booc and his companions. Chad was an environmental advocate, a youth leader and a mentor to fellow youth who are calling for climate action. 

“We call on our incumbent and aspiring government leaders to stop the culture of violence and impunity that seeks to stifle dissent and persecute those who peacefully work to defend marginalized sectors and the environment. Violence is the last thing our country needs in the face of the worsening climate crisis. Protecting our marginalized sectors, such as the indigenous communities, and the environment entails defending their defenders and listening to their calls for action. We demand justice and peace for activists of all causes, and call for urgent and effective mechanisms to protect them from persecution and abuse.

“Climate and environmental protection can only be successful when we have a government that supports people’s participation in all aspects of governance, protects and defends human rights, promotes transparency and information disclosure, and fights corruption. The next president must stand for inclusive, transparent, and inspired models of governance that are fully accountable to people, prioritizing and meeting our collective rights to social, economic, cultural and environmental dignity.”

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Note to editor: 

According to Global Witness, the Philippines has been Asia’s deadliest country for land and environment defenders for eight straight years, last being named in 2021.