By JOSEPH GREGORIO
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Kalinga woman leader Beatrice Belen walks to freedom after the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tabuk City, Kalinga, released her from detention on February 12.

Judge Randy Bulwayan of Branch 39 of the Regional Trial Court in Lubuagan, Kalinga ordered the release of Belen after dismissing the charges of illegal possession of explosives the police filed against her on February 11.

On October 25, 2020, Belen was arrested in her residence at Uma, Lubuagan, Kalinga, when agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, and elements of the Philippine Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade conducted searches on several houses in Uma at dawn. The police allegedly found three rifle grenades outside Belen’s house.

Belen is a regional council member of Innabuyog-Gabriela. She led Uma villagers in opposing Chevron Energy Company’s geothermal energy project in Kalinga from 2012 until her arrest.

In 2018, Belen was awarded Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan for her advocacy in protecting the environment against destructive projects. # nordis.net