27 April 2003

MONDAY - Philippine hunger strikers to meet Agriculture Secretary Today

ASK THE AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TO LISTEN TO THE HUNGER STRIKERS

Please send your letters in support of the hunger strikers to the Secretary of Agriculture, Luis "Cito" Lorenzo, (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., fax 6302 929 8183). Please cc: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

For more information on the purpose of the hunger strike:

http://www.bwf.org/cgi/pamayanan/viewnews.pl?newsid1051160620,80535,

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Philippine hunger strikers to meet Agriculture Secretary on Monday

NGO activists and farmer leaders staging a hunger strike has come to an agreement yesterday with Sec. Lorenzo's staff to meet the Secretary this coming Monday, 28 April 2003, to present their demands for a moratorium on the propagation and commercialization of Bt corn in the country.

"I am optimistic the Secretary will listen to what we are asking for which is very reasonable", said Roberto "Obet" Verzola, of the Philippine Greens, one of the activists who is also a farmer leader staging the hunger strike.

The hunger strike is on its fifth day today, with only 6 hunger strikers remaining, namely:  Roberto Verzola (Philippine Greens); Luisita Esmao (PAKISAMA); Mark Cervantes (SEARICE); Arma Bertuso (SEARICE); Gigie Cruz; and Anne Laracas (Philippine Greens).  The International groups supporting the strike are:  Institute of Science in Society, Sierra Club, Tibetan Justice Center; Wilderness Society of Australia, Genetic Resources Action International, Oxfam, Pesticide Action Network - Asia Pacific and Europe, Safe Age - South Africa, Agbio India.

[For more information and support, write to Ping Peria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]