Press Statement
Kalikasan PNE calls for the immediate release and dropping of charges against Dr. Ma. Natividad “Naty” Marian Castro, an environmental and human rights defender based in the Philippines’ mining capital, the Caraga region.
Dr. Naty was arrested by elements of the Philippine National (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday with an arrest warrant based on a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in Caraga. Her home in San Juan City was forcibly entered by said state elements.
Dr. Naty is a cherished comrade who was present in the founding national congress of Kalikasan PNE. She is known in Caraga to strongly speak against the widespread displacement of Lumad communities paving the way for foreign mining corporatiions..
We call on the PNP and AFP to respect the rights of Dr. Naty and allow her access to her family, lawyers, doctors, and paralegals. She should not be interrogated without the presence of her counsel of choice.
This incident amidst the election campaign season strongly reminds the need to elect leaders who will stand with our heroic environmental defenders. We must say never again to a despotic leadership that nurtures its police and military scalawags at the expense of our environment and rights.#
