On Nov. 22, Hawaii Pacific University screened the documentary “Delikado,” followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
“Delikado” is about three men who live on the island of Palawan in the Philippines who risk their own lives protecting their homeland and was written, directed and produced by Karl Malakunas.
After the preview, co-producers Marty Syjuco and Michael Collins took part in a discussion about the social and environmental issues in the Philippines with HPU students.
Palawan appears to be an idyllic tropical island, with powder-white beaches and lush forests making it one of Asia’s most visited tourist destinations.
But for a small network of environmental crusaders called Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI), it is more akin to a battlefield.
Bobby, Tata and Nieves – a charismatic lawyer, an ex-illegal logger and a fearless politician – are three magnetic figures the documentary follows along as they are fighting to stop corporations and governments seeking to plunder increasingly valuable natural resources.
Often from Indigenous communities, environmental defenders in the Philippines are killed with impunity and the killers are rarely caught.
The battles these climate activists fight are shared by allies worldwide – but the abusive government of President Rodrigo Duterte adds urgency to this deepening human rights crisis.
