PRESS STATEMENT
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) renews the call to drop the Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) disguised as a cyber libel suit against Sarah “Bestang” Dekdeken of the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA).
A whole year has passed, and the case is being dragged in court, causing Bestang, her family, and comrades in the CPA undue difficulties and other costs affecting her ability to defend the environment and rights.
Together with Kalikasan PNE, CPA has been proactive in campaigning against multiple mega dam projects from desecrating important river ecosystems, including the Chico River. The indigenous people’s group is also mobilizing against multiple mining operations in the region.
The defense of the environment should be a platform of every candidate. Kalikasan PNE challenges all electoral aspirants to stand with Bestang and other environmental defenders who have been harassed or killed in the line of duty. We want to hear them on record what their plans are to help defend environmental defenders. ###
Reference: Markus Fernando, Advocacy Officer (he/him/his)
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE)
mark@kalikasan.net
