Mining activist death an accident: court
Ruling sends 'chilling' message to other activists, says priest
- Hernan S. Melencio, Manila
- Philippines
- May 25, 2012
A court in the province of Romblon ruled on Wednesday that the killing of an environmental activist in 2007 was an accident.
The prosecution failed to establish intent to commit murder and the court gave weight to witnesses’ accounts that the victim, Armin Marin, and a security officer were grappling for the gun before Marin was shot, said Judge Ramiro Geronimo.
The court found Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corp's Mario Kingo guilty only of "criminal negligence and imprudence" in the shooting, which occurred during a protest action against mining operations in the province.
“Hundreds of protesters saw what happened,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of anti-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina. “The ruling is like telling the people that they are lying and what they saw did not happen,” he said.
Edel Garingan, also of Alyansa Tigil Mina, told ucanews.com that Marin’s family is consulting with lawyers on whether or not to appeal the case.
"The family is upset and doesn’t yet know how to proceed from here," he said.
"I really expected that the punishment would be more than just that. He was killed, killed helplessly,” Marin’s wife, Rodilisa, said.
The ruling sends a chilling effect to other activists who put their lives on the line, said Fr. Edu Gariguez, winner of the 2012 Goldman Environmental Award.
"Let us not forget the subject of protest of Armin and the people on Sibuyan. They want the [mining company] to pull out their mining project and make Sibuyan Island a mining-free zone,” said Gariguez, head of the bishops' conference's secretariat for social action.
Messages of indignation appeared on Twitter and Facebook today.
“On what ground Ramiro Geronimo came up with that sentence? Another insult to the injury for the victim,” supporter Romeo Sosbreno wrote on Facebook.
A new Facebook page was also created to call for justice for Armin Marin's killing, "Justice to Armin, Save Sibuyan (and Romblon Province)."
Related reports
Environmentalists light up for justice
The prosecution failed to establish intent to commit murder and the court gave weight to witnesses’ accounts that the victim, Armin Marin, and a security officer were grappling for the gun before Marin was shot, said Judge Ramiro Geronimo.
The court found Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corp's Mario Kingo guilty only of "criminal negligence and imprudence" in the shooting, which occurred during a protest action against mining operations in the province.
“Hundreds of protesters saw what happened,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of anti-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina. “The ruling is like telling the people that they are lying and what they saw did not happen,” he said.
Edel Garingan, also of Alyansa Tigil Mina, told ucanews.com that Marin’s family is consulting with lawyers on whether or not to appeal the case.
"The family is upset and doesn’t yet know how to proceed from here," he said.
"I really expected that the punishment would be more than just that. He was killed, killed helplessly,” Marin’s wife, Rodilisa, said.
The ruling sends a chilling effect to other activists who put their lives on the line, said Fr. Edu Gariguez, winner of the 2012 Goldman Environmental Award.
"Let us not forget the subject of protest of Armin and the people on Sibuyan. They want the [mining company] to pull out their mining project and make Sibuyan Island a mining-free zone,” said Gariguez, head of the bishops' conference's secretariat for social action.
Messages of indignation appeared on Twitter and Facebook today.
“On what ground Ramiro Geronimo came up with that sentence? Another insult to the injury for the victim,” supporter Romeo Sosbreno wrote on Facebook.
A new Facebook page was also created to call for justice for Armin Marin's killing, "Justice to Armin, Save Sibuyan (and Romblon Province)."
Related reports
Environmentalists light up for justice
