Greenpeace dumps charcoal to protest Iloilo coal plant
GREENPEACE activists dumped around 20 sacks of charcoal in front of a Metrobank branch in Iloilo City Monday to protest a proposed coal-fired power plant project here.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reacted to the protest, saying it is investigating the possible involvement of foreigners in the actions against a proposed coal-fired power plant in this city.
BID regional director Francisco Artuz inspected the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior on Sunday to check whether members of the ship’s crew have violated regulations and laws governing foreigners.
“We received reports that foreigners and crew members were seen joining the protest actions and we want to check if their papers are in order,” Artuz told the Philippine Daily Inquirer before boarding the ship that was anchored near the shores of Barangay (Village) Ingore in La Paz District here where Greenpeace activists had set up a protest camp at the site of the proposed coal plant.
The activists dumped the charcoal in front of the bank along General Luna Street around 10:30 a.m. after they ended a three-day protest camp-out at the site of the proposed coal plant in La Paz District.
A Metrobank subsidiary, the Global Business Power Corp (GBPC), together with Panay Power Corp (PPC), is pushing for the construction of a 164-megawatt coal plant, a proposal by energy officials, business groups and most local officials.
Energy officials, business groups and most local officials support the power project but environmental and church groups oppose it, citing health and environmental hazards.
“We are giving Global Business Power Corp. a taste of what it feels to be dumped with coal even as charcoal is safer than the coal used in coal plants,” said Jasper Inventor, Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner.
Greenpeace is an international environmental organization that works for environmental conservation and the preservation of endangered species.
Artuz said members of the Rainbow Warrior’s crew could not leave the ship without a shore pass and could not join political activities like protest actions.
Foreigners joining political activities may be liable for deportation for violations of these regulations, Artuz said.
The Rainbow Warrior has 12 crewmembers, 10 of them foreigners, and 15 guests onboard. It has been here since June 7 as part of an international tour to campaign against coal-fired power plants.
Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Jasper Inventor said it was within the authority of the BI to inspect the ship and its crew and to verify their papers.
“But we hope this is not meant to pressure us and Greenpeace activists from other countries to stop our protest against the project,” said Inventor.
Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer
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