skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Search
Blog Archive
Justice for Berting Pinagawa
The violent death of Alberto ‘Berting’ Pinagawa echoes through history, clearly defining the culture of impunity of the State in protecting the welfare of the people against massive environmental destruction and development aggression. Slain last Decemebr 24, 2009, a day before Christmas, Berting Alberto who was from Minalwang, Misamis Oriental, is a staunch opposition mass leader against the logging concessionaire Southwood Timber Corporation. The Southwood Timber Corporation has acquired an Industrial Forrest Management Agreement (IFMA), which covers an area of 11,476 hectares of densely is still densely covered by old growth vegetation and hardwood trees.
But the IFMA permit is of a dubious character, raising fears and reservations about the legalities of the IFMA. The said permit is valid for a term of 25 years and renewable for another term. It affected an area of Barangay Eureka of Gingoog City covering 3,000 plus hectares and Barangay Minalwang of Claveria, Misamis Oriental covering 7,000 plus hectares.
Such permit poses a threat to the community of Minalwang. With the logging activities going on in the area, the community of Minalwang fear for their lives and safety as the IFMA encroaches upon an area along the Bukidnon-Agusan-Misamis Oriental Boarders. Such area protects the head waters of the Pulangi River to the south and other major offshoots of waters like the Odiongan River to the northern coastal areas. Flashfloods which occurred during January and November 2009 have affected and displaced nearly 8,000 residents in Gingoog area alone.
Raising awareness to the community, the Ecology care if the Social action Center (SAC) through the Anakan Parish, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) and the Sta. Rita Parish of Gingoog, with the leadership of Berting Pinagawa, they gathered at least 20,000 signatures for the cancellation of IFMA of the said Southwood Timber Corporation.
Presently, the city council of Gingoog has revoked its endorsement to Southwood Timber Corporation. But sadly, the culture of impunity of the state has not left without one man’s sacrifice. Berting Pinagawa, a beloved family man and a noble leader, lost his life, protecting the interest of the community and the environment. With his brave acts to fight for justice and peace for his community, he was silenced to death by men who believed him to be a hindrance to their corporation’s interest.
The struggle of Minalwang community continues. As the voice of the people continue to grow louder and the resistance grows stronger, Justice will soon be served for the people of Minalwang and to Ka Berting Pinagawa.