They disappeared at the end of a reference trip, but the investigation was slow to begin, and indigenous leaders criticized the lack of coordination between the various teams sent to the area, including the army, navy and federal police. “There is no administrative center,” said Beto Marubo, a local indigenous leader. “They just go up and down the river, they come and go; they will not find them [like this]. » The area – a densely forested area on Brazil’s border with Peru – hosts 26 indigenous groups, some of whom are involved in the search for Pereira, who has spent years helping protect their land from poachers, loggers and miners. . Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST At least 50 locals in three boats sweep the river and its tributaries looking for signs of the two men or the boat they were traveling in. They expanded their search to land on Friday, but have little or no contact with the military and fear they are following in each other’s footsteps. The military, Marubo said, should coordinate research and use indigenous guides strategically. “Why didn’t they find Dom?” Marumbo asked. “Because their searches are ineffective.” Police have so far arrested a man who was seen threatening Phillips and Pereira the day before they disappeared. Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira was arrested and his boat, on which traces of blood were found, were confiscated. However, police have not yet linked him to the disappearance. They also said they had found “apparently human organic material” in the river on Friday, but gave no indication whether the find was related to the two men. They sent human material and blood for forensic examination and took DNA samples from both Phillips and Pereira families. Orlando Posuelo, a native expert involved in research operations, was pessimistic about finding the men alive, but insisted that efforts must continue. “We want to find answers for families,” he said.
