UPLB chancellor: No turning back
on case vs Greenpeace raiders

CHANCELLOR Luis Rey I. Velasco of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) hailed the recommendation of the Laguna Provincial Prosecution Office to file malicious-mischief charges against Greenpeace members who raided a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant experimental farm in Bay, Laguna, in February and uprooted crops being tested by UPLB scientists.

“We welcome the decision of the Provincial Prosecution Office of Laguna. This confirms that, indeed, there was a violation of the law when Daniel Ocampo and other members of Greenpeace Southeast Asia forcibly entered the Institute of Plant Breeding [IPB] for Bt eggplant by destroying the perimeter fence and uprooted the experimental plants.”

Velasco said the “Bt talong plantation is a legitimate experiment of UPLB designed to evaluate the merits and demerits of the technology. We followed national policies and rules and regulations. We have permission from the authorities and the National Biosafety Committee.” He added that UPLB will monitor the case so that “the ends of justice are served.”

“We will pursue the case to ensure that the violators will be held liable for their actions. We have to protect the interest of the University and defend our economic freedom,” Velasco said.

In a two-page resolution dated May 13, Provincial Prosecutor George C. Dee said there was probable cause to charge respondents Daniel M. Ocampo, Aileen Camille Dimatatac, Adrian N. Dagondon, Benjean May Tolosa, Raymond Berongay, Don Florentino, Shivani Shah, Ali Abbas, Ricky Morales, Eyesha Endar and Rhoda Armoda and put them on trial.

“The undisputed fact is that there were persons who forcibly entered the experimental farm of the University of the Philippines experimental Bt talong were pulled up,” the resolution said.

Dee junked the argument of the Greenpeace members, who denied there was no conspiracy to uproot the plants but admitted they went to the farm from Metro Manila to “decontaminate it” and protect traditional eggplants.

The experiment, which Greenpeace ruined, cost UPLB P25 million.

Based on the complaint filed by Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo, who represents the University of the Philippines-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB), on February 17, 2011, Ocampo and company attacked a Bt eggplant experimental farm in barangay Paciano Rizal, Bay, Laguna.

Technician Noel Lawas said he was about to go to work when guard Sonny Lalap informed him that there were persons who entered the plantation. He rushed to the place and saw the gate’s lock destroyed.