Brazilian police have arrested a third suspect for the deaths of British journalist Dom Philips and fellow Brazilian government traveler Bruno Pereira. Phillips’ body has since been identified. Another suspect has already admitted to killing the two.
The first two suspects are two brothers. The third suspect was on the run but surrendered to the Atalaia do Norte police station near the Peru-Colombian border.
Phillips wrote to the British newspaper guard and Pereira worked for the Brazilian government agency for indigenous affairs. Together, the two went on an expedition along the Peruvian border in Brazil’s Javari Valley. They would be interviewed for a book on conservation in the region, where illegal fishing, logging, mining and drug trafficking take place.
Brazilian police said other people may have been involved in the couple’s death. The police do not rule out the possibility that criminal organizations are involved in crime. Indigenous organizations question this. “Everything indicates that Pereira and Philips have crossed paths with a powerful criminal organization that is trying to cover their tracks at all costs,” said Univaja, a local indigenous group involved in the investigation.
The group claims it has repeatedly warned police since late last year that a criminal organization is operating in Javarivalley. Police continue to search for the boat Phillips and Pereira traveled on and where they were last seen alive.
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.