An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday scored the action of some individuals said to be members of Greenpeace, for intruding the DENR office and in resorting to deception in trying to attain whatever they want to achieve.

At around 8 o’clock this morning, a handful of Greenpeace members intruded the DENR office by posing as clients out to follow up documents at the Environmental Management Bureau located at the DENR compound at Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

The intruders scaled the fire exit of the DENR building and upon gaining entry, the Greenpeace members proceeded to the seventh floor and hoisted a streamer critical of the mining activities of Lafayette. The intruders took the action in the company of the members of the media, who immediately took photos of what they have done.

“We assailed the action taken by Greenpeace this morning for resorting to deception to project to the public what they espoused,” said Ramon Ezpeleta, director for administrative services.

“The intruders should not resort to deceptive tactics to convey their message. We have been open to dialogues and we welcome issues raised to us by non-government organizations, people’s organizations and other stakeholders, who like us, are deeply concerned about the environment,” Ezpeleta added.

He further said, “given the deception and intrusion, the presence of media men and other circumstances, we would like to think that the entire thing was staged as part of their publicity stunt.”

Initial information gathered from the department’s security group indicated that the intruders came aboard two vans, a Hi-Ace and a Revo, disembarked at the parking lot and went up the building through the fire exit.

The guards also said that during the investigation, a British member of the group refused to give his name, but was later identified as Al Baker. Another member, Jasper Inventor, was identified through his identification card that he left at the lobby guard upon entering the building.

The Greenpeace streamer made mention of the Lafayette’s issue. Last year, the DENR stopped the operations of Lafayette following two tailings spills that caused damage to the marine life in the area. Last month, the DENR has given Lafayette a permit to undertake a 30-day test run to determine the sufficiency and adequacy of the remedial measures and environmental safeguards the company has instituted.

Meanwhile, Engineer Mike Cabalda of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on Thursday also clarified that the 30-day test run given by the DENR will not automatically lead to Lafayette’s full mining and milling operation.

“The 30-day test run is not going to lead to full mining and milling operation of Lafayette. There are conditions set by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) which need to be met before they can be allowed to operate,” Cabalda said.

He added that the DENR is monitoring the operation of Lafayette, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to make sure that the environment is protected.

Cabalda also reiterated the open policy of the MGB and DENR to dialogues. “In the market of ideas, we allow all sectors to state their positions and we value their inputs that could lead to better policies.” (DENR Public Affairs Office)

August 10, 2006