PUERTO PRINCESA City, January 24, 2012—Advocates for a cleaner environment and the preservation of pristine surroundings in Palawan gathered in Aborlan town to mark the first anniversary of Dr. Gerry Ortega’s “martyrdom.”
This was how Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo described the occasion that attended by closest relatives and associates of the late veterinarian-turned-broadcast journalist-crusader.
“We offered the Mass not for Gerry because he is apparently at peace with the Lord but for ourselves for us to continue the advocacy left by the late Doc Gerry fighting corruption and advocating for the protection of the environment, especially here in Palawan,” Arigo said.
He added Gerry would have died in vain if we will not continue his advocacies.
“The Mass was a celebration of Dr. Gerry’s life, having led a very meaningful, beautiful and fruitful life just like what Jesus did in service of the truth and in the service of others, fighting against corruption for people to have a better quality of life in Palawan,” he further said.
Arigo, however, expressed sadness that a year after the murder, investigators are still working on the case that shocked the country and the international environmental advocates.
“After one year the investigation is still in its preliminary stage with the first preliminary investigation was dismissed by a panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice,” he said.
The Ortega family filed for a motion for reconsideration, which was once again dismissed.
Arigo acknowledged Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s timely intervention by ordering a reinvestigation of the case.
He underscored the need to protect the country’s “last frontier” which is being threatened as the “lost frontier” due to four mining operations in the province.
Mining operations by City Nickel have been reported in
Narra and Espanola. There is also another one in Rio Tuba by the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining and one more in Berong.
Narra and Espanola. There is also another one in Rio Tuba by the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining and one more in Berong.
“What is more threatening is the application of Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia in Brooke’s point which is a very beautiful farming town,” Arigo said.
He said the “fight” is still going on between the people and the mining company.
A small gathering was held at the crime scene at 3 pm today where various sectors spoke of the need to solve the case.
A candle-lighting ceremony immediately followed at 6 pm at the exact site of the killing last year. (Melo M. Acuna)
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