Senate urged to probe slay of ‘green warriors’
The Manila Times · 11/3/2026, 12:12:00 AM Philippine time
Excerpt from The Manila Times. Read the original report below for the complete story.SEN. Jinggoy Estrada wants the Senate to investigate the killings of environmental defenders in the Philippines, which Global Witness has again ranked as Asia’s deadliest country for people protecting land, natural resources and communities.In Senate Resolution 697, Estrada urged the appropriate Senate committees to examine the findings of the Global Witness 2026 report and determine what legislative measures are needed to protect environmental defenders and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.“We must not turn a blind eye, especially as these killings continue. Ordinary people are simply defending their land, livelihoods and the environment, yet they end up losing their lives. This should never happen,” Estrada said.The report identified the Philippines as the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders for the 13th consecutive year. It documented at least 124 land and environmental defenders killed worldwide in 2025.The Philippines recorded 12 killings, the highest number outside Latin America, tying with Honduras for the third-highest total globally, behind Colombia with 39 and…