Philippines a global hotspot for environmental murders

Nieves Rosento, mayor of the town of El Nido, Palawan island, the Philippines, speaks at the wake of murdered environmental para-enforcer Ruben Arzaga, from the Palawan NGO Network Inc (PNNI).

El Nido (Philippines) (AFP) - Environmental activists are being killed in record numbers around the world, with the corruption-plagued Philippines one of the most dangerous countries, according to watchdog Global Witness.

At least 200 community activists, NGO workers and other civilians on the frontlines of protecting the environment were reported murdered worldwide last year, the highest on record, the group said.