Greenpeace Statement on Masinloc

Twelve Greenpeace activists and volunteers  from New Zealand, Australia, China, Thailand and the Philippines were arrested and charged today  for trespassing on the Masinloc coal power plant in Zambales, the Philippines. The 12 were released without any bail being posted.

"We will contest the legality of this charge," said Greenpeace International's Energy Campaigner Athena Ronquillo in Zambales today. "It is outrageous that the Masinloc plant decided not  to press charges yet the police have taken it on themselves to do so."

"Greenpeace condemns this violent attack on a peaceful protest," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Energy Campaigner Red Constantino. "We are being charged  after five of our people were attacked by plant staff, two of them viciously.  We're disappointed that the Filipino plant personnel prefers to protect the interests of a power plant that brings more harm than good to people. Coal is the culprit here, not peaceful protest. Greenpeace is more determined than ever to take the message of  the Asia Energy Revolution Tour to the public: Stop Climate Change: Clean Energy Now.

Earlier in the day 5 activists were attacked by plant personnel. 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, Debra Gay Pristor from New Zealand and Pam Palma from the Philippines.  An unidentified object was thrown by plant personnel at Filipino activist Janine Mercado. All five people were taken to hospital.  Loewe was found not  to have broken bones or fractured  any limbs but he, along with his four other colleagues will undergo further examination.

Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organisation that uses non-violent creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems to force solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Contact Information:

In the Philippines

Red Constantino, Greenpeace SEA Energy campaigner, +63 917 524 1123

Athena Ronquillo, Greenpeace International Energy Campaigner  + 63 9178131 562

Michael Kessler, Greenpeace International Communications + 63 915 945 0066

Lea Guerrero, Greenpeace SEA Media Officer, +63 917 374 4969

In Europe

Gina Sánchez, Greenpeace International Communications, +31 627 000064

Photos

John Novis, Greenpeace International Photo Editor  +31 6 53 81 91 21