Press Release
October 12, 2007

LOREN MOURNS DEATH OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ACTIVIST, VOWS VIGILANCE FOR ECOSYSTEM

SIBUYAN ISLAND, ROMBLON - Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday (Oct. 12) mourned the shooting death of environmental activist Councilor Arman Marin of Sibuyan island, Romblon, and vowed to continue her crusade to protect the environment against its "enemies".

Loren made the statement in a message read to a huge crowd of mourners who attended the funeral of Marin who was shot to death allegedly by a security guard of a mining company while leading a protest against destructive mining activities. The statement was read by a representative of Sibuyan Aton Manggad (SAM), an NGO fighting for a clean environment in Sibuyan.

"This is a day of sorrow and sympathy for the people of Sibuyan and the friends and family of our friend, companion and fellow fighter for a clean environment, Councilor Marin," said Loren, herself a committed crusader for clean environment.

"Councilor Marin was an elective official who was devoted to serve the true interests of his community. In addition, he was deeply committed to preserving the healthful environment of the beautiful island of Sibuyan to protect the health, welfare and well-being of its inhabitants," Loren said in her message, which was read by the representative of an environment non-government organization here.

Loren reiterated that in the name of the departed environmentalist fighter, Councilor Marin, she would push through her demand that the government suspend all mining permits and applications in Sibuyan island to protect the interests of its inhabitants.

Loren also demanded that justice be given to Councilor Marin, members of his family and the community who lost a man dedicated to the best interests of the people of the island and who risked his life to ensure a healthful environment for his constituents.

Marin was shot dead recently allegedly by the security chief of the Sibuyan Nickel Property Development Corporation which was engaged in mining in Sibuyan, considered a paradise island famed for its unpolluted and fresh environment.

Marin and other cause-oriented people of Sibuyan had waged a campaign to stop mining activities in the island which they believe would devastate the island, destroy its natural plant covering and fauna, and also destroy the livelihood of the inhabitants based on their natural surroundings.

The environmental activists in Sibuyan cited the incident in Sorsogon when a chemical spill from a mine operated by an Australian company contaminated the surrounding sea, killing the fish and spreading disease among the coastal inhabitants. "We don't want that to happen in our unspoiled surroundings," said Marin.

Loren expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Sibuyan as she herself is a committed campaigner for a clean environment, being founder and chair of Luntiang Pilipinas, which is conducting a project for the greening of the Philippines. Luntiang Pilipinas has planted over two million trees throughout the island archipelago .

Loren has also conducted a campaign against illegal logging, mining and fishing activities that despoil the environment.

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