[APCPress] APC Statement: Supporting GMO Hunger Strikers in Philippines

[Karen Higgs]

APC Statement of Support for Roberto Verzola and Fellow Hunger Strikers
in the Philippines

The Association for Progressive Communications expresses its support for
our long time colleague and friend, Roberto Verzola, and his fellow
hunger strikers in their protest action against the commercial use of Bt
Genetically Modified Corn in the Philippines.  Bt corn was developed by
Monsanto, the US based multi-national agricultural corporation.   

We urge the Philippine Government to reconsider its decision and listen
to the many farmers and environmentalists who are calling for a
moratorium on the use of GMOs in the Philippines.   

Roberto Verzola is one of the founders of the progressive information
and communications technology (ICT) movement that emerged in the late
1980s, and which lead to the creation of the APC (Association for
Progressive Communications).  Roberto's ongoing critique of the hype
surrounding ICTs, and their supposed ability to reduce poverty and
inequality, and his personal creative and pioneering use of appropriate
low-cost ICTs for environmental and social justice both inspired, and
exemplifies APC's core values.  

END


Here is Roberto's statement (including an opportunity to send support
message): http://www.bwf.org/hs3.shtml

You can send letters of protest urging the Minister of Agriculture to
reconsider his position: seclorenzo at da.gov.ph (this goes directly to the
Philippine Minister of Agriculture)

Letters of support to Roberto: searice at searice.org.ph (this will reach
him)
He has been on hunger strike for more than three weeks and is extremely
weak.