Greenpeace mulls raps vs Masinloc guards(greenpeace activists get beat down hard then arrested)

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com ^ | 11 12 05 | Blanche S. Rivera

[freepatriot32]

Editor's Note: Published on Page A3 of the November 12, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

GREENPEACE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL activist group, is considering filing charges against the security guards who beat up a German volunteer during a protest against "dirty energy" in the state-run Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales.

The violent encounter between the National Power Corp. guards and 16 Greenpeace activists on Thursday was "the most severe attack" against its campaigners in the Philippines, said Red Constantino, Greenpeace's Southeast Asia energy campaigner.

"The security personnel put the safety of the activists at extreme risk," Constantino said in a phone interview.

"It's a state facility, in which case maximum tolerance should be observed. The fact that atrocious violence was instigated by plant personnel is something Greenpeace condemns," he said.

The Napocor operates the 600-megawatt coal-fired plant which supplies power to the whole of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Greenpeace is opposed to coal-fired power plants, which are among the biggest causes of global warming. Experts have said that rising global temperatures and changes in weather patterns could have drastic effects on every living thing on earth.

The group has been urging the Philippines to shift from coal power plants to new and renewable energy sources.

A group of some 16 Greenpeace activists entered the plant's compound early Thursday to put up a climate change campaign streamer but ran up against the plant's guards.

Jens Loewe, the German volunteer, ended up badly beaten and hit on the face and head with a steel bar, said Greenpeace.

Three women volunteers were also injured after guards pelted them with stones, it said.

Another volunteer, Tomas Leonor, was hit with a rifle butt on his back, Greenpeace said.

Their injuries are not considered serious, however.

Constantino said the group was thinking about filing suit, "but right now, we're more concerned with determining the well-being of our activists."

He said there have been similar reactions to Greenpeace protests, but they were not as violent as the Masinloc incident.

"This has been the most severe attack on activists [in the Philippines]. We reiterate that Greenpeace is a peaceful campaigns organization," Constantino said.

The Napocor contended that the Greenpeace activists had placed the plant's operations at risk by entering a strictly off-limits zone.

Loewe, who arrived in Manila about a week ago, is still "shaken up," but is out of the hospital. He has been prohibited by his doctors to travel, however.

"Whether we would file charges or not is secondary. It is something that we will have to discuss as an organization. It's not going to be an individual's charge," he said.

The Masinloc police has beaten them to it, however, charging 12 Greenpeace members and volunteers with "other forms of trespass" late Thursday.

All 12 Greenpeace members, including volunteers from Australia, China and Thailand, were ordered released by the court.

Constantino said the Greenpeace activists went to the Masinloc police station about 9 a.m. Thursday to seek help for Loewe, who was being beaten up by Napocor guards.

Instead, the activists were detained by police until 4 p.m. without any charges, he said.

"We're all in high spirits despite the bodily [attacks]. As long as the government intends to expand more coal-fired power plants, our campaign will continue. It will intensify," Constantino said.

[samtheman]

"We're all in high spirits despite the bodily [attacks]....

And we're all in high spirits because of the bodily attacks. We sincerely wish you more of same.

[Fielding]

Nice. Can I get a video of this.:)

[SmithL]

I think they should go back to that Police Station and DEMAND action!

[Mount Athos]

The story is not accurate.

First of all, other reports have made clear that the protesters didn't just walk in, they forced their way in, rushed in.

Also, the beating they got was not just from "security guards", but also from ordinary employees, including women.

[ncountylee]

"It's a state facility, in which case maximum tolerance should be observed.

Hey Red...their country and their rules, you puke.

[Al Gator]

YEEEHAWWWW. Green weenie meets Philippine security in PI.

Hey morons, don't mess with PI security. They don't like you, and they don't have to treat you nice!

BBBWWWWAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA. I KNOW how they got worked over. I've watched those security types in action. Their jobs depend on keeping people out. They have ZERO sense of humor and PI law is completely on their side.

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bunch of idiots.

[GenXFreedomFighter]

a protest against "dirty energy" in the state-run Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales.

Nuclear is much cleaner ... they wouldn't protest that, now would they?

[Howie66]

Sounds like the guards at the plant need some advice on delivering a truly good beating. None of the Greenpeace turds were badly injured, indeed!

[Faraday]

Another volunteer, Tomas Leonor, was hit with a rifle butt on his back, Greenpeace said.

The Philippine security guards must be instructed on which end of the rifle to use in these situations.

[Joe Boucher]

Most any time you see greenpeace protesters getting an ars whooping it is a good thing.

[Al Gator]

Zambales province is one of the tougher places. Lots of commies and highwaymen in the jungles.

These fools are really lucky. The security forces treated them nice. I know that. How?

The green weenies are still alive.

And there is more truth to that most know.

[Al Gator]

Oh, have no fear. They know what to do. They were being polite to a stupid guest.

Make no mistake, green weenies got off easy.

[Faraday]

The best watermelon squashing story occurred a few years ago when Greenpeace "activists" assaulted a Japanese stock market trading floor. The traders beat the hell out of them. There have been no reports of a return visit.

[Venerable Bede]

The group has been urging the Philippines to shift from coal power plants to new and renewable energy sources.

Mm, hm. And Greenpeace expects some (relatively) dirt poor country to just whip up some megawatt wind generators, solar farms, and magic pixie-dust to meet their energy needs.

Thank God these idiots aren't in charge of anything... they might hurt somebody.

[freepatriot32]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
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updated list of ping lists

Ive been suspended a few times over the last month so im about a month behind on pinging the list so over the next couple of days iwill be pinging a couple of these threads and posting links to all the rights farm envirnmental threads over the last month in those couple of threads until i am caught up then i will go back to pinging all the threads individually again

[Al Gator]

You're right, I remember that!

Rule one, never get between a Japanese trader and his money. It's a very dangerous place to be!

[GenXFreedomFighter]

Greenpeace is opposed to coal-fired power plants, which are among the biggest causes of global warming.

Is the American MSM writing stories for the Philippine Daily Inquirer? Sloppy, biased journalism.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"The group has been urging the Philippines to shift from coal power plants to new and renewable energy sources."

Can the Philippines even AFFORD this? Cripes. They can't even get energy companies in America to fall for this stuff; there's no money in it, not to mention tremendous start-up costs for "alternative energy." We'd already have "alternative energy" all over the place if it were profitable and cost-effective, don't you think?

And don't even get me started on the ethanol gasoline the farm union and eco-pukes are shoving down our throats here in Wisconsin. *Rolleyes*

[dighton]

The best watermelon squashing story occurred a few years ago when Greenpeace "activists" assaulted a Japanese stock market trading floor.

If we're thinking of the same happy event, Kyoto pests got knocked around by traders in London.

“Sod off, swampy.”