February 9, 2007

HER EXCELLENCY
PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL- ARROYO
Republic of the Philippines

Attention: Secretary Arthur Yap
Department of Agriculture

Dear President Arroyo;

Greetings of peace!

The citizens of this country, your constituents, are now bothered by the presence of the Genetically Modified Rice variety 9LLRice 601) in the major grocery stores. The brand found to be contaminated by GE rice is “Uncle Sam Texas Long Grain Rice’ which is distributed in the Philippines by Purefeeds, Inc. and sold in major supermarkets.

As a Church institution, we have a moral obligation to protect the interest of God’s people and their inherent right to safe food and healthy environment. Independent and environmentally concerned local and international scientists already warned that genetically modified crops and food products could be very harmful to the environment and to human beings. European Union opposed and barred the entry of LL GE Rice 601.

We believe that we should strongly oppose any experiment or attempt to use genetically engineered food that are not safe or good to the environment. We should feed our people with food that are produced through natural means. We therefore strongly endorse the petition attached herewith and, in addition, request you to order the recall and stop the sale of all US rice contaminated with LL601 ge rice together with “Uncle Sam Texas Long Grain Rice” from all markets and grocery stores.

We hope and pray for your immediate action and positive response to this appeal.

Sincerely yours,
(signed) +GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila