Five college students file a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a temporary environmental protection order to halt mass tree cutting along Quirino Avenue in Manila, which they say is connected to the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEx) project. Led by journalism student Joaquin Bautista and sustainability and environment student Elisha Zantua, the group directs its petition at environment officials and SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. The students say the tree cutting is intended to clear the area for SALEx.
According to reports, the students approach the Supreme Court after a Manila regional trial court (RTC) rejects their earlier bid for a TEPO. The RTC decision is described as rejecting the request due to a technicality. The petition asks the Supreme Court to issue an order that would temporarily protect the environment by stopping the ongoing or planned tree cutting while the case is being considered.
The filings reflect a dispute over the legality and environmental impact of activities associated with SALEx, with the students seeking judicial intervention after their initial attempt at lower-court level does not proceed.
