Thursday, November 29, 2007 Anti-aerial spray advocates hit TRO By Carlo P. Mallo, Reporter, and Jeff M. Tupas, Correspondent
INDIGNANT anti-aerial spraying advocates staged a rally Wednesday in front of the office of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) on Rizal Street, Davao City to protest the recent issuance of a temporary restraining order by the Court of Appeals upon the motion of the banana industry.
Carrying placards, the rallyists, led by Lia Jasmine Esquillo--executive director of environmental group Interface Development Interventions Inc (Idis), accused the multi-million dollar industry of "corporate greed" and asked PBGEA to heed the voice of the people to stop aerial spraying of pesticides.
But the protesters, who rallied across the street from the office of PBGEA, were dispersed by the guards of a nearby bank and an insurance company because they obstruct traffic in the two-lane street.
Corazon Sabinada, a resident of Barangay Sirib in Davao City, said the recent decision of the appellate court was brought by the relentless show of influence and power of the PBGEA, something that is taking its toll on the people who have been affected by the deadly effects of aerial spraying.
In Cagayan de Oro City, at least a dozen police operatives in full battle gear faced protesters who also staged a demonstration in front of the Court of Appeals (CA).
Marcelo Villaganes, a member of the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying who joined the protest in Cagayan de Oro, said the police came with their long firearms.
Villaganes, a resident of Dacudao in Calinan District, said lawyer Aldrich Dy of the Villaraza & Angangco, who is the counsel PBGEA, was also seen taking photos of the protesters.
The incident, he said, only clearly showed that PBGEA is hell bent on suppressing the liberty of the people to express their disgust over the banana industry's continued defiance of the will of the people.
The CA issued its decision favoring the motion of PBGEA for the issuance of a TRO on November 16. The let off will last for two months.
Banana companies have yet to resume their aerial spraying activities pending a written order from the appellate court that they can already resume aerial spraying.
