Fratmen champion environment, climate issues in Oblation Run

Naked men from the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity on Friday championed climate and environment issues during this year's Oblation Run.

Wearing silver ash-painted masks to hide their identities, 20 frat members gathered on the steps of Palma Hall at University of the Philippines Diliman before running through the halls and corridors of the building.

READ: Guts and passion gave birth to the Oblation Run

They called attention to rising global temperatures, the loss of habitats for animal species, the proliferation of "profit-based extractive industries" and the unjust killings of environment defenders, among others.

"I think [people] are discounting the idea of climate change [They've] come to think of it as, 'Oh, it's just the usual environmental shtick.' We believe differently," said APO alumnus Karl Bruno Abenojar in a press conference.

The fraternity called for businesses to "review their current practices for compliance for environmental standards" and "consider the impact of their operations before implementation."

APO also opposed the proposed construction of the Kaliwa Dam, which they said "endangered local communities." 

"We've seen other proposals for different dam constructions which had less impact on the environment," Abenojar said. "We believe that, in considering projects like these, the government should take into account the  number of people who will be affected."

The fraternity also called for the government to "strictly regulate extractive and industrial operations" and "prioritize the needs of the population over the interests of profit."

"In our country, environmental groups have pointed that despite pronouncements from the Duterte administration condemning mining operations and vowing to fast track environmental conservation efforts, these have been unacted, superficial or targeting smaller entities," their statement read.

The Oblation Run has been an annual tradition at UP Diliman since the late 1970's. 

—MGP, GMA News