Politics · Philippines Bureau
Estrada calls for Senate inquiry into killings of environmental defenders
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed a resolution calling for a comprehensive Senate investigation into the deaths of environmental advocates in the Philippines. The move follows a Global Witness report that ranked the country as the world's deadliest nation for environmental defenders for the 13th consecutive year.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has initiated legislative action to address the growing crisis of killings targeting environmental defenders across the Philippines, filing Senate Resolution No. 697 on Tuesday.
The resolution urges the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an inquiry into recent findings from Global Witness, an international human rights organization. According to the 2026 report, the Philippines retained its unwanted distinction as the deadliest country for environmental activists, marking the 13th consecutive year in which it has held this grim ranking.
Estrada's move reflects mounting concern over the safety of those advocating for environmental protection and conservation in the island nation. The resolution seeks to examine the circumstances surrounding these killings and identify systemic issues contributing to the violence against environmental defenders.
The filing represents an effort to bring legislative scrutiny to an issue that has drawn international attention and criticism. The Senate inquiry, if approved, would provide a formal platform for investigating patterns of violence and potentially recommending measures to protect individuals engaged in environmental advocacy.