DENR denies releasing pesticide gas during QC protest

ADVERTISEMENT Filtered By: Topstories News By LYJAH TIFFANY BONZO, GMA News Published July 26, 2026 9:54pm + Add GMA on Google Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. Mist is seen outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office in Quezon City during a protest on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Protesters alleged that the agency released pesticide during the rally, but the DENR denied the claim, saying the mist was part of its routine disinfection activities.

(Photo courtesy of UPLB Perspective Facebook page) 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). Other Stories PNP deploys 20,000 cops for 2026 SONA; 4 groups secure protest permits in QC Robin Padilla gives 'failing grade' to Marcos admin's flood control response QC gov't to implement liquor ban on SONA Day, July 27, 2026 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 Tags: DENR, SONA 2026, protest action More Videos Most Popular LOADING CONTENT LOAD MORE ARTICLES RETRY LOADING