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keep it up

Hi Slade, ...and all. ...and thanks for this story. It's ironic how most police everywhere in the world seem to serve the elite to destroy what they're supposed to protect, ...their country and it's environment. I'm not sure whether all three were released, or is David still being held? It's too bad too, there always seems to be people willing to take advantage of people desperate to feed their families, ...knowing they risk their lives, ...living on the fault line in the mines there.
...Anyway, thought you might like to know I've finally made good to update the crew on my Ocean Defenders tribute page. It now reflects the crews of the Rainbow Warrior, and your Esperanza - http://www.gratefulchild.org/projects/gcweb/gc/html/onward/. The ships images link to your respective crew weblogs. Also, and knowing Greenpeace has always had a close relationship with the band Midnight Oil, I've started a new video series of Black Fella White Fella Tour. Part one is up and running on my site now, ...just in case you find a moment of boredom there and want to watch a nice video - http://www.gratefulchild.org/projects/gcweb/gc/html/MO/ Take good care out there. Next stop Phillipines...? Love to you all, ...Wes

Hi i can't belive how many people want to destroy the enviroment for their own selfish needs shouldn't they just take a moment and reflect on what the hell they are doing I mean Dave Andrade was what testing water and he got arrested on what charge surely there is no law against an innocent man collecting samples of water. Ben

whats up Slade et al on Esperanza,I feel upset about what happened David Andrade its like Philippine authories are protecting these environment destructive companies such Lafayette.
however we must not take this reason to stop knocking this company to stop its destructive operation.To the Philippine government please think of your people and your environment.
We must condemn such arrest..

It's interesting how Greenpeace activists even take illegal actions when they recognize, that their aims cannot be reached by legal means. Sorry, but I do NOT feel sympathy with your arrested employee.

Certainly, sabotage is not the right way to protect the environment! The measurements taken by Lafayette's management are the right option in this case.

So, better concentrate on real problems in other areas. Rapu Rapu's environment seems to be well protected.

Reply from Greenpeace:

A few facts you might have missed...

1. David, the Greenpeace employee, was not charged with anything because he was not breaking the law.

He was on unfenced public land taking water samples. Hardly a crime.

2. No one (except yourself) has accused Greenpeace of sabotage. In fact, the only people saying there was any sabotage is the mining company itself - and I think you will understand if I do not take their word on it.

From a commentary in the Australian Age titled, "Miners must face responsibility":

Barely three weeks after the test run began, there was a third toxic spill at the mine, at the end of last month. [The mining company] Lafayette claims it was sabotage. But that's not the first time the company has cried foul. Previous spills at the mine were blamed on unidentified people. However, the independent investigation into those earlier spills condemned the company for not analysing mercury and other toxic heavy metals in the ore that it mines.

In light of those two corrections, I think you owe David an apology.

-- Andrew
(Greenpeace web editor)

Note: I am not opposed to Greenpeace doing what they do - BUT some balance is needed if you guys want to retain or build credibility.

An official press release from the office of Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee has stated quite clearly that the recent report of a fish kill was caused by people who poured pesticide into a creek near the Rapu Rapu mine. He labelled this "an act of economic sabotage".
The press release is available here - on lafayettes website (of course!!)
http://www.lafayettemining.com/default.asp

Any comment from Greenpeace on the Governors statement?

-Vin

Dear sir,

Thank you for your concern regarding the Rapu Rapu case. We have been working with the communities in and around Rapu Rapu and the opposition remains in the
island as well as in affected towns in Sorsogon.

It is unfortunate that another fishkill happened during the test run period. And to address your concern about sabotage angle, an investigation by the Sangguniang Bayan is now ongoing. To date, the company has not provided evidence of sabotage (of someone pouring pesticide into the creek). Unfortunately, there
have been attempts to conduct independent investigation have been met with harassments by the military, police and company security. That too is now being
investigated by the Sangguniang Bayan in Rapu Rapu.

Greenpeace also attempted to do its own investigation because we were banking on the fact that Secretary Angelo Reyes and Lafayette were publicly saying they
were going to be transparent about the 30-day test run. However, the Greenpeace staff who went with locals to the site to collect water samples, was detained
and questioned at gun point. The Lafayette statement says my colleague ran away when his attention was called. That is a blatant lie. No person in his/her right
mind would run away if a gun is trained at him at close range and knowing also that there e about 10 other security personnel nearby.

I hope this clarifies the issue. Please feel free to write us if you still have more questions.

Cheers,
Beau Baconguis
Campaigner
Greenpeace Southeast Asia