Four environmental activists have been detained in a police station in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, after holding a peaceful protest during the opening of the 48th Asean Summit on Friday, May 8, 2026. The incident occurred near the venue where regional leaders gathered for high-level discussions on political, economic, and environmental challenges facing Southeast Asia.
Protest and Detention
In a statement, Greenpeace said its activists staged a peaceful protest to urge Asean leaders to end the plastic and waste crisis, hold polluting corporations accountable, and shift the region away from fossil fuel dependence, which the group claims continues to worsen climate-related harm. "Instead of silencing peaceful protest, Asean leaders must listen to the message," Greenpeace emphasized, stressing that communities across Southeast Asia are already suffering from landfill collapses, toxic fires, polluted air, and plastic pollution.
The environmental organization confirmed that its activists are officially detained at the Lapu-Lapu Police Station 2 in Barangay Mactan.
Police Warning and Security Measures
In a public advisory, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) warned that any unauthorized rallies, picketing, road blockages, or other activities that may disrupt operations within designated security and restricted areas during the international event are strictly prohibited. "Any individual or group found violating existing laws, local ordinances, and established security protocols shall be dealt with accordingly under the full extent of the law," the LCPO stated. "Security is a shared responsibility. We urge everyone to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and respect the established regulations for the success and safety of the Asean Summit 2026," the LCPO added.
Greenpeace's Demands
Greenpeace called for the immediate release of the activists and urged Asean leaders to adopt stronger measures to reduce plastic production, phase out problematic single-use plastics, strengthen waste prevention policies, hold corporate polluters accountable, and support a transition toward reuse systems. The group argued that the "real danger" lies in systems that allow corporations to continue producing and distributing large volumes of single-use plastics while communities bear the health, environmental, and economic consequences.
SunStar Cebu reached out to the LCPO for further details but received no response.
