Peace Corp volunteer Andrew Haralam joins anti-GMO hunger strike
American joins anti-GMO hunger strikers
DA compound – A 19-day hunger strike against the impending commercial distribution of genetically-engineered corn in the country got a boost Friday when an American Peace Corps volunteer announced he was joining the protest.
"As an American I am protesting the introduction of Bt corn into the Philippines to send a message to my government and the US corporation Monsanto," said a statement by Andrew Haralam, a Peace Corps volunteer based in Baguio City.
"Please do not contaminate this beautiful land with poison; either with the chemical or the genetically-engineered variety. Please stop distributing Bt corn seeds here! I know that our own corn farmers in the US have been having problems with GMOs. Lucky for them, they are bailed out by our government through market subsidies. Filipino farmers are not so lucky," said Haralam’s statement.
The hunger strike calling for a moratorium on the distribution of the genetically-engineered Bt corn is on its 19th day (Saturday). The hunger strikers are Luisita Esmao of the peasant organization PAKISAMA, Roberto Verzola and Anne Laracas of the Philippine Greens, and "running priest" Fr. Roberto Reyes.
Another surprise hunger-strike supporter has been former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor who, in a press conference Thursday, conceded that "a procedural lapse" occurred in December which allowed the release of the permit for Monsanto to distribute Bt corn seeds in the market.
Montemayor said that as then the agriculture secretary, he was not "properly informed" before the Monsanto permit was signed by Bureau of Plant Industry director Blu Umpar Adiong.
"Masyadong nag-apura ang BPI," Montemayor said. Montemayor said the department which he has since left should be open to new information about Bt corn.
More anti-GMO groups flocked to the Department of Agriculture compound Friday morning, asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. to order the moratorium being sought by the hunger strikers.
Some 100 flag-carrying protesters led by the Akbayan party held a "die-in" rally in front of the DA compound, chanting, "Moratorium! Moratorium!"in support for the hunger strike. Akbayan executive secretary Marie Labago said her group decided to support the strikers because genetic engineering poses a threat, not a boost to food security.
Meanwhile, to explain his unusual move, Peace Corps volunteer Haralam said he has spent years of his life trying to play safe. "With the Bt corn issue, I have found an opportunity to take a stand for something I believe in. I hope to make a difference."
