CITY OF CALAPAN, Philippines – An active member of the anti-mining movement in Oriental Mindoro was shot dead shortly before he was to attend a church service Sunday morning in the city, police said Monday morning.

Chief Superintendent Paul Mascariñas, MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police director said Mike Rivera had just alighted from a car at around 9:15 a.m. in front of the Calapan United Evangelical Church of the Philippines on Ramirez St., San Vicente Central, when two unidentified gunmen fired at him.

Mascariñas, citing a report from the Calapan city police, said Rivera was shot once in the head and another in the chest.

Rivera was immediately brought to the Holy Cross Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Rivera was officer of the non-government organization Kaunsayan Formation for Community Development (Kafcode), which advocates, among others, environmental protection. His wife Doris is currently director of Kafcode and active in the civil society movement.

At one time, Rivera served as officer-in-charge provincial administrator in the provincial government

By Madonna Virola

Inquirer Southern Luzon

First Posted 15:45:00 05/17/2010

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20100517-270550/Anti-mining-activist-shot-dead-in-Oriental-Mindoro

Filed Under: Crime, Mining and quarrying