Inquirer
08/27/2006

SORSOGON CITY—The Mines and Geosciences Bureau urged Greenpeace International to furnish the agency a copy of its report alleging contamination at a creek near the mining area in Rapu-Rapu Island being operated by Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI).

On Thursday, Greenpeace released a statement claiming that tests conducted by its scientists confirmed “very high levels of toxic metals” in water samples collected from a creek allegedly contaminated by the Rapu-Rapu mining activity.

MGB Bicol director Reynulfo Juan said such report by the antimining group would remain a hearsay unless it could be verified and confirmed, saying it was not coordinated with the proper government agency.

Greenpeace earlier reported that the Mirikpitik creek near the mining area was found to be positive for cadmium, copper and zinc and blamed the mining operation for it.

“A few weeks ago, unidentified people poured a huge amount of pesticide into a creek that is the source of clean water for the residents, and started sending out text messages that Lafayette was to blame,” LPI countered in a statement.

Juan said it could be easily verified whether the Greenpeace report was true or not since they have baseline data of all metals found in the area.

The Greenpeace launched a fluvial protest against Lafayette just as the Department of Environment and Natural resources gave its go signal for Stage 3 of the test run.

Juan said the MGB was now just awaiting word from the Pollution Adjudication Board so the last stage of the test run could be conducted.

Lafayette lawyer Bayani Agabin said they were preparing legal action against Greenpeace for trespassing and would seek the deportation of three foreigners who climbed up the company’s conveyor belt on Thursday to unfurl their antimining banners for picture taking.

Agabin said “Greenpeace has gone out of bounds in its irresponsible and counter-productive photo-ops that unfortunately some media outlets fall for.”

Recently, they misrepresented themselves at the DENR head office so they could go up the roof deck so photographers they had in tow could take pictures, he added.

Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee condemned the DENR incident, saying the antimining militants had become destructive and must be dealt with accordingly by authorities. Bobby Q. Labalan, Inquirer Southern Luzon