Scientia Online

‘Justice for Leonard Co!’
By Maria Socorro Mendoza

Country’s top plant taxonomist, Leonardo L. Co, died in an alleged crossfire between government soldiers and suspected guerrillas last November 15, 2010. Two of his four coworkers, Sofronio G. Cortez, forest guard of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), and Julius Borromeo, member of the Tongonan Farmers Association (Tofa) were also killed. According to reports, Co was collecting seedlings of endangered native trees in a forest at Kananga, Leyte as gunfire broke out. Co was a tree biodiversity consultant of the Binhi project of EDC whereas the gathered native trees seedlings will be used for replanting.

Co was a museum researcher and biodiversity expert of the Institute of Biology (IB) for about three decades, the founder and president of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI), and the author of the books Common Medicinal Plants in the Cordillera Region: a Trainor’s Manual for Community-Based Health Programs and The Forest Trees of Palanan, Philippines: a Study in Population Ecology, even before he received his college diploma in 2008.

Military’s account

Lieutenant Colonel Federico Tutaan, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said , “It was a legitimate military operation. But we are very remorseful over what happened." Kananga police chief, Inspector Jedol Camacho stated that these soldiers reported that unidentified armed men were seen in Baranggay Lim-ao.

In an interview with GMA News, Tutaan said that they did not expect that Co would be in the thick forested area of Kananga, where NPA usually stay. He narrated that the troops, prior to the gun fire, found a person clothed in black carrying an M-16 Armalite rifle, causing them to fall into combat formation. He said that the rebels shot first, his troops answered, and the crossfire started. At once, communist rebels were able to run whereas the next area was where Co and coworkers were present. He added that the Co's team was not visible to the soldiers.

These soldiers, however, were then ‘restricted’ in their camp, according to Colonel Allan Martin, deputy commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade. Furthermore, Tutaan stated that any investigation regarding the incident would be taken into consideration although no apology would be given for it would mean admission of guilt. Blaming the soldiers over the death of Co and companions would be unfair since autopsy results were not yet issued. The Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, assured an investigation on possible lapses.

Survivors’ testimonies

“Doon lang galing sa may itaas lahat at isa lang ang direksyon,” said Policarpio Balute to GMA News, as he described the hail of gunfire that attacked them and killed his companions. HE also said that they had begged for mercy, but the shooting continued.

According to Balute, he had heard a continuous burst of gunfire originating from Upper Mahiao, Barangay Lim-ao, and no responding gunfire came from other directions.

He said that when gunfire broke out, he fell to the ground. Then he ran away from their location. Balute and Roniño Gibe, were the sole survivors of Co’s team. Balute and Borromeo, members of Tofa, were the guides of Co in the forested area of Kananga, Leyte, while Gibe was a contractual forester with EDC’s corporate responsibility department.

In Gibe’s account of the incident, he said to Glenda, wife of Co, that the botanist was still alive but injured after the first eruption of gunfire, and as Co tried to get up, another burst of gunshots hit him. Gibe added that he hid behind a huge tree and that after the second volley, he held his hand up as sign of surrender as he shouted "Tama na, tama na!" Then the volley of gunfire suddenly ceased. Immediately, EDC people came to the area and brought Co to the hospital, as Glenda said.

Serious doubts

The family of Co doubted the reported crossfire, and said that EDC coordinated with the military in Leyte. In the statement given by EDC, positive confirmation from the Army command was received for Co’s team to proceed prior to their entrance into the area. For that, Co’s family demanded a thorough investigation on the incident.

“Hindi lang simpleng tao ang napaslang noong Lunes… Nawalan tayo ng national treasure dahil sa kagalingan niya na hindi mapapantayan, ” said Dr. Perry Ong in a press conference held in IB last November 17. Dr. Ong is the director of IB and a close friend of Co. He continued, “Nagpapaalam kami... ’Pag sinabi nilang hindi pwedeng pumunta, hindi kami pupunta. Kaya’t ‘wag [nilang] sabihin na ‘Bakit siya nagpunta do’n? Delikado ro’n.' Pumunta sya ro’n dahil alam niyang binigyan siya ng clearance. Sinabihan siyang ligtas do’n.”

When asked who must be held responsible of Co’s death, Ong said “Why are they (the military) remorseful? Remorseful ka lang kung may pinagsisisihan ka." He called for reports that would shed light on who started the gunfire, whose gun had killed Co and companions, and who were involved.

“Kailangan nating mapalinaw kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari, dahil di umano’y wala naman talagang nangyaring crossfire, at talagang napaputukang una sina Leonardo Co, ” said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, Chairperson of AGHAM, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People.

Also one of the speakers was Dr. Leni Jara, Executive Director of the Council for Health and Development. She said “Dahil nagkakaiba-iba ang mga istorya, kailangan nating talaga na may independent fact-finding mission upang pumunta sa Leyte."

“We express our moral indignation and condemn the senseless killing of a brilliant and irreplaceable mind. We decry the nonchalance of a military that dismisses this tragedy as a mere ‘unfortunate incident’,” said Anthony Arbias, who was the Vice-President of the PNPCSI before the tragic incident.

In the press conference, colleagues, friends and students of Co gave testimonials and expressed their grief and demand for justice over a great loss while they question the discrepancies in the military’s side.

The wake for Co took place at Funeraria Paz, while memorial meetings were held both at Funeraria Paz and at the Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman.
Leonard, true son of UP, returned home

Morning of November 20 — Co, in his coffin, has come back home to UP Diliman. Family, colleagues and students accompanied him from Funeraria Paz to the UP Oblation as they commemorated the heroism and excellence of a true son of UP. “One of your sons has returned, fulfilling the exhortations of the Oblation to serve the people,” said Ong. Chancellor Sergio Cao and former UP President Emerlinda Roman were also present to pay tribute. Co was also brought to Pavilion 4 and IB then to the Church of Risen Lord, where stories of praise, adventures, ups and downs, gratitude and laughter, about and with Co, overflowed.

“My worth and the things I have done will be appreciated more after I am dead,” were the words of Co as reminisced by Julie Barcelona, his colleague, who named Rafflesia leonardi after him.

James La Frankie, another colleague, said “If you want to know about Philippine plants, there is Leonard Co. Everybody else is in second place."

Others sent their eulogies through letters. Emily Wood shared that Co has been invited thrice to the Harvard University.

Students of Co in field research expressed their admiration in Co’s incomparable knowledge and humility. Also, they happily recalled their odd experiences with his habits.

“Lahat na lang nakatali sa kanya — cellphone, lens at ballpen, para hindi niya makalimutan,” recalled Bonifacio Pasion, who was with Co in his project at Palanan, Isabela.

“Si sir seloso ‘yan, mahilig sa Republican movies at galit sa exotic plants, ” recounted Arbias of PNPCSI.
The first batch of students of Co, his "mga anak-anakan", also shared their stories. Jeanmarie Molina, another student of Co and now a Ph. D. title holder said “Passionate is an understatement to describe him.. He is indeed a national treasure, an unsung hero."

“’Yong unang beses na nag-meet kami ni sir ng malapitan ay sa Herbarium; Valentine’s Day no’n. At nung nagkita kami, alam n’yo ‘yon, parang may cosmic attraction,” said Ulysses Ferreras who, according to Co’s colleagues and friends, was molded by Co to be like him, and was dearest to him among his students. Ferreras added, “Sa t’wing may mahahawakan na kaming halaman, dumidilim na ang paligid, at do’n lang may liwanag. Cosmic experience talaga."

Although praises and memories poured, the cries for justice were still the loudest. Bobby Austria, brother-in-law of Co, swore for justice for his Kuya Boy’s death, “Isumpa natin sa oras na ito ang katarungan para kay Leonardo Co y Legaspi— ama, anak, kapatid, guro at kaibigan."

The body of Co was subjected to autopsy the morning of November 22, and cremated the following morning. A third of the ashes would be scattered in Palanan, Isabela, where Co passionately conducted his research, and from which he was able to write his second book. Another third would be given to UP Institute of Biology, where it would be scattered under tree that Co had described to his daughter, Linnaei Marie. The rest would remain to his family.

Independent Mission

In the House of the Representatives, an investigation on the killing of Co and his team was filed with the Committee on Human Rights by Representative Rafael Mariano, of the Anakpawis partylist, together with Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casino, Representatives of the Bayan Muna partylist.

Also, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered a probe that would unravel the circumstances of the incident in Leyte.

Last November 26, an independent citizen-based fact-finding mission headed by the Justice for Leonard Co movement, departed for Kananga, Leyte for an actual investigation on Co and companion’s death. Several scientific communities, environmentalists and human rights organizations, in cooperation with Co’s family are participating in the investigation.

"This mission becomes more imperative because of the AFP's insistence that what happened was a 'legitimate military operation' and that the local command of the 19th IB-PA (Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army) also insisted that Mr. Leonard Co and his companions were killed in an alleged ‘crossfire’ in an encounter with New People's Army rebels. The local police has already suggested that the bullets that killed Co were not in the Army's armaments. That is why we are very much worried that the death of the country's finest scientist in the field would be whitewashed and covered-up by state authorities," said the national human rights alliance, KARAPATAN.



More updates can be found in:
Leonard L Co: In Memoriam, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leonardo-L-Co-In-Memoriam/162637747108520
Leonardcofans@yahoogroups.com, http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/leonardocofans/?yguid=222605377


Sources:
1. Elvie Roa and Joey Gabieta, “UP botanist, 2 others killed in military-NPA clash in Leyte,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, accessed November 27, 2010, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20101116-303582/UP-botanist-2-others-killed-in-military-NPA-clash-in-Leyte.
2. Elvie Roa and Joey Gabieta, “Leyte ‘crossfire’ survivor: I did not hear exchange of gunfire,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, accessed November 27, 2010, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101117-303792/Leyte-crossfire-survivor-I-did-not-hear-exchange-of-gunfire
3. Elvie Roa and Joey Gabieta, “’Gunfire came from one direction,’” Philippine Daily Inquirer, accessed November 27, 2010, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101118-303843/Gunfire-came-from-one-direction
4. Howie Severino, “No crossfire when botanist Leonard Co was shot, witness says,” GMA News.tv, accessed November 27, 2010, http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206324/no-crossfire-when-botanist-leonard-co-was-shot-witness-says