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Press Release

FOLLOW-UP PRESS BRIEFING
For Immediate Release
December 3, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Aimee Suzara (FACES) 510-601-7422
Jorge Emmanuel (FACES) 510-799-2551
Saul Bloom (Arc Ecology) 415-495-1786
San Jose, California. An unprecedented lawsuit was filed this morning against the Department of Defense. The suit was filed on behalf of Philippine nationals,
community members near the former US military bases in the Philippines, where many have died and fallen ill to diseases related to toxic waste exposure. Joining
the 38 Filipino petitioners were the Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solution (FACES) and Arc Ecology. The suit aims to hold compel the US military
to conduct an assessment of contaminated areas near US installations.

Simultaneous press conferences were held in San Jose, California and Manila, Philippines. In San Jose, dozens of Americans from around the Bay Area gathered to
support the lawsuit, wearing black, holding large images of children with congenital diseases and deformities,leukemia and other conditions, several of whom have
died. A digital image of the press conference with supporting gathering is attached.

Nher Sagum, a Philippine national speaking as a resident from one of the affected communities began the press conference with a statement, followed by attorney
Scott Allen, FACES board member Aimee Suzara, and Arc Ecology Executive Director Saul Bloom. The conference was hosted by FACES Chairman Dr. Jorge
Emmanuel. After the press conference, the plaintiffs walked into the courthouse to file the suit, while supporters remained outside to hold a vigil for the victims of
toxic waste related illnesses. Holding a long scroll with 144 names, local supporters read the names of toxic waste victims, followed by a solemn bell, while others
gathered to listen.

The judicial pathway from here:
- 60 days after the filing the Attorney General’s Office will respond on behalf of the Air Force and Navy;
- within 60 days after the Attorney General’s Office response is received, the parties will confront each other over the legitimacy of the plaintiffs claim;
- if the judge rules in favor of the plaintiff, a trial will proceed.

Attached JPEG file: Left to Right: Aimee Suzara, Scott Allen, Saul Bloom, Nher Sagum, and Jorge Emmanuel during press conference on the steps of the US
District Courthouse in San Jose; background shows supporters holding enlarged photos of the toxic waste victims

Contacts:
Aimee Suzara (FACES) 510-601-7422
Jorge Emmanuel (FACES) 510-799-2551
Saul Bloom (Arc Ecology) 415-495-1786

FACES
P.O. Box 2597
El Cerrito, CA 94530
www.facessolutions.net
info@facessolutions.net

Arc Ecology
833 Market Street, Suite 1107
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.arcecology.org
arc@igc.org

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Last updated on Wednesday, December 4, 2002