Will slain botanist still get justice?

Exactly 4 years ago on November 15, a respected Filipino botanist was shot to death with two others while collecting and studying indigenous trees in the forests of Kananga, Leyte. The fatal bullets came from an infantry battalion of the Philippine Army who had thought Co and his companions were members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Co’s footsteps may have long disappeared from the forest floor, but the pain of his death drags on for his family and friends. To this day, there has been no trial on the case and the 9 accused soldiers walk free. Two petitions filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Supreme Court are yet to be resolved, preventing the case from proceeding.

Read more about the injustice being done to one of the giants in the Philippines’ scientific community.