DENR denies releasing pesticide gas during QC protest

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Sunday denied allegations that it released pesticide during a protest outside its Central Office in Quezon City, saying the mist seen in the area came from its routine disinfection activities.

“We assure the public that the mist seen in the video was from routine defogging on Sundays. It is disinfectant mist, compliant with workplace hygiene standards. It is not used for crowd control,” the DENR said in a statement.

The agency also denied that the mist contained chemical agents intended for crowd control.

Progressive groups from Southern Tagalog earlier alleged that pesticide was released while they were holding a protest along Visayas Avenue on July 26 as part of a caravan ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The protesters, composed of progressive groups and residents from Southern Tagalog, denounced what they described as destructive environmental policies and projects that have damaged mountain ecosystems and displaced communities.

They also opposed what they called “fake development” projects, including several renewable energy projects in different provinces in Southern Tagalog, which they claimed favor big businesses and foreign interests.

Despite the alleged release of pesticide, the protesters continued their program and held a symbolic head-shaving activity to depict the denudation of mountains and signify their commitment to defending communities and the environment.

The DENR said the mist released during the protest did not contain chemical agents intended for crowd control.

It also cited an official report from the Quezon City Police District, which said “the protest rally held along Visayas Avenue ended peacefully with no untoward incidents.”— MCG, GMA News