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An unidentified suspect gunned down Puyat barangay captain Alberto Cuartero, 49, and one of his companions last September 22
MANILA, Philippines – A number of non-government organizations plus local officials of the town of Carmen, Surigao del Sur province in southern Philippines are seeking justice for the killing of anti-mining advocate Alberto Cuartero, barangay captain of Puyat.
An unidentified suspect gunned down Cuartero, 49, and one of his companions in the town of Madrid on Sunday, September 22, according to a police report. Cuartero was considered in their town as a staunch anti-mining advocate and supporter of environment protection.
Local officials of Carmen posted a statement on Tuesday, September 24, saying there are “individuals who seek to hinder the plans aimed at the welfare and development of our community.”
“These challenges remind us that true service sometimes conflicts with the interests of others, especially when illegal activities they support are disrupted,” they said.
The local government is conducting an investigation in parallel with the police.
“We call on government authorities to conduct a serious investigation on the murder of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), said.
“We demand that police officials undertake all efforts to resolve this brutal killing,” he added.
Six nickel mines are currently operating in the province, a 2023 report of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said.
Most of these are in the town of Carrascal, operated by companies including Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation, CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, and Carrascal Nickel Corporation.
Chito Trillanes, an anti-mining leader in Surigao del Sur and a church worker, mourned the passing of Cuartero.
“His courage in exposing the falsified exploration permit of a mining company, even testifying in court, speaks volumes of his integrity and bravery,” wrote Trillanes online.
The Philippines was recently tagged by watchdog Global Witness as the most dangerous country in Asia for environmental defenders.
Seventeen defenders were killed in the Philippines in 2023, the report said. Global Witness linked the killings around the world primarily to the mining industry. – Rappler.com
