Leonard's death and that of his companions raise anew questions that relate to poverty, especially in the areas they chose to work in: areas where remaining forests and Philippine plant species thrive, yet also areas of extreme poverty where marginal communities are seasonally hungry, basic social services are lacking, and livelihoods are meager.

That the area is a hotbed of the ongoing insurgency movement is not surprising. Kananga is one of Leyte province's 40 towns with a 42.1% poverty incidence. Leyte's 2006 poverty incidence is one of the highest in the country at 47.3%, way above the national average of 32.9%. In Kananga, around 19,500 Filipinos are poor. In the entire Leyte, more than 800,000 Filipinos are living in poverty.

It is with great sadness that we try to understand the circumstances of Leonard's death and that of his companions. And in doing so, we must ask again and again why innocent lives have to be sacrificed as we pursue the peace we all seek. We hope and pray that in a fairer, better world, the likes of Leonard and those who have fallen before him, will no longer happen just so we drive home the need for peace.

Photo credit: Patrick Gozon in "Leonardo L Co: In Memoriam ", other info: UP Botanist, 2 others killed in Military - NPA clash (15 November 2010)