Press release - November 10, 2005
Twelve Greenpeace activists and volunteers from New Zealand, Australia, China and the Philippines were arrested and charged today for trespassing on the Masinloc coal power plant in Zambales, Philippines. The 12 were released without any bail posted.
"We will contest the legality of this charge," said
GreenpeaceInternational's Energy Campaigner Athena Ronquillo in
Zambales today."It is outrageous that the Masinloc plant decided
not to press chargesyet the police have taken it on themselves to
do so."
"Greenpeace condemns this violent attack to a peaceful protest,"
saidGreenpeace Southeast Asia Energy Campaigner Red Constantino.
"We arebeing charged after five of our people were attacked by
plant staff,two of them viciously.
"We're disappointed that the Filipino plantpersonnel prefers to
protect the interests of a power plant that bringsmore harm than
good to people. Coal is the culprit here, not peacefulprotest.
Greenpeace is more determine than ever to take the message ofthe
Asia Energy Revolution Tour to the public: Stop Climate
Change:Clean Energy Now.
Earlier in the day, plant personnel attacked five Greenpeace
activists.Jens Loewe, 36, a Greenpeace volunteer from Germany and
Tomas Leonor,24, a Filipino activist were both badly beaten by
plant personnel.Stones were thrown by plant personnel at two female
activists, DebraGay Pristor from New Zealand and Pam Palma from the
Philippines. Anunidentified object was thrown by plant personnel at
Filipino activistJanine Mercado.
All five people were taken to hospital. Loewe was foundnot to
have broken bones or fractured any limbs but he, along with hisfour
other colleagues, will undergo further examination.
Other contacts: In the Philippines, Michael Kessler, +63 915 450066In Amsterdam, Gina Sanchez, +31 627 0000 64
VVPR info: Greenpeace International Press Desk, + 31 6 5381 9121