Activists attacked in the Philippines

philippines action

Zambales, Philippines - One of our volunteers has been beaten up by plant security at a coal power plant outside Manila, while participating in a peaceful protest highlighting the causes of global warming. The security personnel at the Masinloc power plant drew weapons and fired warning shots at people armed with only a banner. Four other Greenpeace volunteers are also in hospital after having stones thrown at them.

German volunteer Jens Loewe, 36, being looked after by Filipino Pam Palma and New Zealander Debra Gay Pristor after being beaten by personnel of Masinloc coal power plant in the Philippines. The beating occurred during a peaceful protest against coal power plant that is fuelling global warming.

German volunteer Jens Loewe, 36, was taken to hospital after being beaten with a metal pipe. Filipinos Janine Mercado, Tom Leonor, Pam Palma, and New Zealander Debra Gay Pristor were also brought to hospital after they were pelted with stones.

Unfortunately, this is not the first violent reaction to a peaceful Greenpeace protest in the Philippines. In 2002, during a protest was against the biggest coal-fired power station in the Philippines, a security guard fire a warning shot over the heads of the volunteer.

"Greenpeace condemns this violent attack to a peaceful protest," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Energy Campaigner Red Constantino. "It is disproportionate to the nature of the protest which is a peaceful, non violent protest.

"We're outraged 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 volunteer visited the plant to draw attention to Australian and Japanese backing of the expansion of climate changing coal dependency in Asia. "The Masinloc power plant displays the very worst excesses of the Philippine and Asian coal industry," said Constantino.

Burning coal is one of the primary causes of global warming. Australia and Japan are underwriting global warming at a time when the Philippines and Asia are facing the likelihood of devastating social and economic instability from climate change precisely when the country and the rest of Asia are least able to deal with its impacts.

How can climate change criminals pollute the planet with impunity while peaceful protestors get beaten up and detained by police?