Masungi Georeserve decries detention of rangers, calls for support for envi defenders

A sign indicating the Masungi Geopark Project is a restricted area is seen in this February 6, 2021 photo.

Philstar.com / EC Toledo

MANILA, Philippines — The Masungi Georeserve called for support for environmental defenders protecting watersheds as they decried the detention of five of their forest rangers — allegedly by police — in the town of Baras, Rizal province.

In a Facebook post, Masungi Georeserve said their five rangers “apprehended a notorious environment offender armed with a machete, who was trespassing and illegally entering the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.”

They surrendered the alleged offender to the Baras municipal police station for the filing of complaints, but the cops instead detained the rangers, the organization said. They added that their rangers were also "mistreated and verbally abused" by the police.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/23/2149692/masungi-georeserve-decries-detention-rangers-calls-support-envi-defenders