Makati execs arrested for pollution

Three executives of a multi-national company including its president, an American national, were arrested by the Makati police after they were found to have violated the environmental laws of the country.

Armed with a warrant of arrest issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Estrella Estrada, policemen led by Makati police chief Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez arrested Robert Tober, 50 years old, American, president of Kimberly Clark Philippines, residing at the Goodwill Building, Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.

Authorities also arrested lawyer Marino Abes, 58, corporate secretary, resident of 14 Caimito st., Nayon Silangan Subdivision, Antipolo City and Leonilo Alfonso, 55, married, senior vice president of the said company and a resident of 522 Malinis St., United San Pedro Subdivision, San Pedro, Laguna.

According to the Makati police, the company was charged by Mary Katherine Fronda of the University of the Philippines-based Likha, a non-government organization with interests in the preservation of the environment and natural resources, before the Quezon City court recently.

The NGO averred the company violated Article 91 of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the Water Code of the Philippines. According to the complainant, the company is reportedly discharging toxic substances into Laguna de Bay from its manufacturing plant in San Pedro, Laguna.

Kimberly Clark Philippines manufactures diapers, napkins, tissue paper and other bathroom products.

The NGO further claimed in their complaint that the company violated the law prohibiting foreign firms and entities from holding a majority stake in a local company. It was alleged that Americans control 87 percent of the company. – Marvin Sy