Tag Archives: OceanaGold

[Statement] of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the violent dispersal of indigenous peoples’ barricade in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya

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(06 April 2020,) the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) received a report that more than a hundred police officers escorted three diesel tankers of OceanaGold Philippines Inc (OGPI) and forcibly entered the premises of Brgy. Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The incident led to a violent police dispersal of the people’s barricade, injuring several indigenous peoples who were mostly women.

The CHR is alarmed by this transgression and calls for immediate investigation of the Philippine National Police on the encounter. It is deplorable that such operations were carried out while there is an ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is being implemented.

While people are trying to flatten the curve by complying with the enhanced community quarantine, such action by OGPI and the police increases the danger of losing the lives of the involved communities. Furthermore, the intensified presence of the military and the police nationwide heightens the fear of crackdown and attacks against indigenous peoples’ rights defenders given the restrictions of movement.

We strongly remind the government that in pursuit of national development, it should never resort to oppressive policies that jeopardise the human rights of the marginalised, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors such as our indigenous peoples. Similarly, we underscore and reiterate that in this time of health crisis, the government must address the basic and medical needs of these communities—not persecute nor attack them.

The whole nation is already suffering from various losses due to the disease. Let us not waste more lives as we succumb to the greedy corporate interest of the few.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/commission-on-human-rights-of-the-philippines/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-on-the-violent-dispersal-of-indigenous-peoples-bar/2723758617740666/

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[Statement] Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa Solidarity Statement for the People of Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya

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Kalipunan ng mga Kilusang Masa condemns the use of force of police officers to dismantle the people’s barricade of the Didipio Community.

On April 6, 2020, more than 100 police officers escorted a diesel tanker to enter OceanaGold Philippiness Inc.’s (OGPI) mining site in Brgy. Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya forcibly. The forced entry of the diesel tanker resulted in injuring three women and the chairperson of the local people’s organization.

OceanaGold Philippines Inc.’s Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) No. 1 had expired on June 20, 2019. On July 1, 2019, the community members of Didipio set up a people’s barricade to prevent further operations from the mining company. The case remains pending in the Office of the President nine months after the FTAA expiration.

The community has been against the mining operation ever since it was proposed. Community members continue to campaign for the non-renewal of its FTAA. The expiration of OGPI’s FTAA means that no activity or operation should be allowed in the mining site. More so, since the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no work activity is permitted. Thus, the forcible entry of the diesel tankers is illegal and goes against the desire of the community.

Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa calls on the Commission on Human Rights to immediately investigate the actions of the aggressors that led to the violent confrontation. We demand the Office of the President to put a stop to the mining operations of OGPI by finalizing the non-renewal of its FTAA. We call on this administration in hearing the masses and putting a stop in its encouragement on the use of violence.

In this time of the pandemic, big extractive corporations have taken advantage of the Philippine government’s draconian policies. Militarizing communities and trampling upon the people’s fundamental rights.

The government should look at supporting the most vulnerable sectors of society and not penalize them for their non-violent protests in the hope of better services. The community members affected by this mining company are agricultural workers who have lost their incomes and livelihoods due to the destruction of their mountains and contamination of water supply. Worsened by the effects of the pandemic and the Luzon lockdown, this government should support the institutionalization of a universal guaranteed income to ensure that everyone can support themselves, especially the most vulnerable sectors.

In this challenging time, solidarity is needed more than ever; we must put the interests of the people first, and not the interests of the mining industry. Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa supports the rights of the resident of Didipio to decide for a healthier community and environment. We support our partner Alyansa Tigil Mina in its calls to put a stop to destructive large-scale mining in the country.

#StopMiningInDidipio

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[Statement] LOCKDOWN VIOLENCE: Mining company disperses people’s barricade in Didipio, injure indigenous women and arrest leader -LILAK

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Quezon City – While the entire Luzon has been put under enhanced community lockdown due to COVID-19, a hundred police personnel violently dispersed a people’s barricade in Didipio.

Three diesel tankers from OceanaGold Philippines Inc (OGPI) forcibly and illegally entered the premises of Brgy. Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The tankers were escorted by more than a hundred police personnel from Quirino that violently dispersed the people’s barricade. According to testimonies on the ground, they were pushed to the side by police shields, tackled to the ground and handcuffed by the police.

Several members of DESAMA, SAPAKKMI, and AMKKAS were reportedly injured by the dispersal. Bileg Dagiti Babbae composed of Tuwali women led the barricade and were injured by the encounter. The women sat on the ground to stop the tankers but were forcibly carried by the police and handcuffed. A young Tuwali woman’s shoulder was injured when police stepped on it. Tuwali leader Myrna Duyan found her foot bleeding after it was struck by a police shield.

In a live Facebook video posted by Julie Simongo, the Tuwali women were heard screaming from blocking the entry of the tankers and police.

DESAMA Chairman Rolando Pulido received the most injuries. Pulled from under the tanker, Pulido has stripped off his clothes and handcuffed. His body was beaten by sticks, and his mouth was found bleeding. Pulido was then brought to a police precinct in Kasibu. According to members of DESAMA, he will be charged with abuse of order and will only be allowed to post bail the following day.

“Parang baboy ang ginawa nila sa chairman namin,” cried the Tuwali women [They treated him like a pig]. Almost naked, Chair Pulido was forcibly carried with 4 policemen holding his arms and legs.

The violent dispersal not only left physical injuries but also trauma to the women and the community. When a young Tuwali woman was asked about her wounds she said, “Ang sugat sa katawan magagamot pero ang ginawa nila ay hindi basta-basta mawawala sa aming isipan” [The wounds on our body will heal but what that they did to us will remain in our memory for a long time].

“Ito ay malinaw na paglabag sa batas,” said Duyan [This is a clear violation of the law]. “Expired na ang FTAA ng OceanaGold kaya hindi na sila dapat pa nagmimina sa aming lugar” [Their FTAA has expired and so they should no longer be operating in our lands]. OGPI’s Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) expired on June 20, 2019. Groups such as Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) have called for non-renewal of the mining company’s FTAA based on the violations of their human and environmental rights.

Duyan also said that the forced entry and dispersal were violations of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. Barangay Didipio was on lockdown, as the entire Luzon island. The people’s barricade that was put up several months ago to prevent re-entry of OGPI served as COVID-19 checkpoint where members of Bileg Dagiti Babbae were volunteering their assistance. According to Duyan, OGPI dismissed COVID-19 lockdown protocols on top of the law that they have already violated.

Human rights groups such as LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights) were enraged by the actions of OGPI and the Quirino PNP. “We are in the middle of a health crisis. With the lockdown, the people of Didipio are worried about food security and the uncertainties brought about by COVID-19. OceanaGold, with its greed, took advantage of this lockdown to violently force its way through. They know that it would be difficult for the community to seek support outside their communities. How cruel is that?” says Judy Pasimio of LILAK. “But even more cruel is this Duterte government, which lends its police force, at this time of crisis, to serve the interest of the corporate, and deliberately inflict harm on its people, especially at the time that they are most vulnerable.”

ATM also condemned the violent dispersal of the PNP. In a statement released on their website, the group said, “The use of violence by the police today is a reflection of the blind and draconian measures that this government is willing to use to pursue the greedy interests of the mining industry.”

For more information contact:
judy afan pasimio – 09175268341 | judy104@lilak.net
Shar Balagtas – 09771966122 | sharbalagtas.lilak@gmail.com

April 6, 2020

 

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[Statement] Condemnation of violent dispersal of peoples’ barricade in Nueva Vizcaya -ATM

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April 6, 2020

Quezon City – Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) strongly condemns the violent dispersal by the police against indigenous community leaders in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, late afternoon today.

More than 100 personnel of the Philippine National Police from the regional and Quirino provincial units escorted a diesel tanker and forcibly entered the premises of the Didipio mine of Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI).

Violence erupted when local residents resisted the entry and stood their ground to prevent the entry of the diesel tanker. A barricade has been set-up by local groups in July 2019, when the mining contract of OGPI expired. Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement No. 1 (FTAA #1) expired last June 20, 2019, and has since been left pending at the Office of the President.

Reportedly, the mining company and its escort brandished a letter dated January 2020 from the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea endorsing the entry of fuel trucks inside the mining area.

This forced entry of the diesel tanker is illegal and against the people of Nueva Vizcaya. The mining contract has expired so there is no activity allowed inside the mine. The local governments have not given any permit for the mining company to operate. The area is part of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) order of Pres. Duterte, therefore no work activity is permitted.

This is a clear violation of the work-stoppage, the physical distancing and the quarantine procedures imposed by the ECQ in the whole Luzon island.

More importantly, the barricade set-up by local organizations DESAMA, BILEG, AMKKAS, and SAPAKKMI is a clear indication of the rejection of the people to the continued illegal operations of OGPI in Brgy. Didipio.

We call on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to immediately conduct an investigation of this tragic and unnecessary confrontation. We demand that DENR urgently issue a cease-and-desist order to OGPI on their illegal operations in Didipio. We insist that the DILG conduct an investigation on the conduct and performance of PNP elements in Region 2, Quirino Province and the Municipality of Kasibu, but specifically violations of the quarantine rules by the OGPI itself.

The use of violence by the police today is a reflection of the blind and draconian measures that this government is willing to use to pursue the greedy interests of the mining industry. The local leaders sustained injuries when the police used unnecessary force in dismantling the barricade. Our alliance strongly denounces this ferocious and aggressive behavior of the PNP against a non-violent and legitimate protest action of Didipio residents.

We note with anger similar instances in the past few weeks of illegal mining activities in the town MacArthur (Leyte), the island of Homonhon in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and clandestine drilling operations in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

We support the continued resistance of the people of Kasibu against the mining operations of OGPI in Didipio. The recent quarantine procedures have harshly impacted the people there when they lost income and livelihoods. Their access to food and health supplies were severely constrained. This violent dispersal has only added more misery to their fragile lives. #

For details:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – (+63917) 549.82.18 / nc@alyansatigilmina.net
Emer Perocho, ATM Campaign Officer – (+63956) 759.15.24 / atmsosluzon@alyansatigilmina.net

#StopMiningInDidipio

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[Statement] on the Mass Layoff in OceanaGold Mining Project -ATM

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ATM Statement on the Mass Layoff in OceanaGold Mining Project
March 2, 2020

On the report that more than 800 workers will be laid off by the OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) in its mining project in Didipio mine in Nueva Vizcaya, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is making its position clear.

We understand the anxiety and distress being faced by the mine workers of OGPI. However, this mine closure should not have been a major surprise to the management and the workers.

The closure of the Didipio Mine is a foreseeable event, in as much as the mining contract had a clear expiration date. Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement No. 1 (FTAA # 1) was scheduled to expire on June 19, 2019. OGPI failed to secure a renewal of its mining contract, and therefore, mine closure was effected by local authorities.

A just transition should be implemented by OGPI immediately.

OGPI should ensure that full compensation, severance and retirement benefits must be accorded to all affected mine workers. In addition, all affected mine workers should undergo re-tooling, training or referral to possible new jobs or employment. Whenever feasible, OGPI should also launch livelihood interventions for the affected workers, particularly those who are based in Brgy. Didipio or within the Municipality of Kasibu.

OGPI must disclose, explain and continue the complete implementation of the Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (MRDP) which is an attached document to its approved mining contract. In addition, the elements and commitments elaborated in the Social Development Management Plan (SDMP) must be fully implemented by OGPI.

These just transition activities must be implemented with the full cooperation of the local governments of Nueva Vizcaya, including the barangay, municipal and provincial officials. Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR must supervise these implementation activities.

OGPI must start accepting the fact that it has no license to operate, and that it has failed to secure its renewal permit, and therefore, urgently implement its commitments spelled in the MRDP and SDMP.

For more details, please contact:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, nc@alyansatigilmina.net / (+63917) 549-82-18

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[From the web] Stop Oceanagold’s illegal mining operations -ATM

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Photo by ATM

BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA – Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) together with its local partners, the Nueva Vizcaya Quirino Waterwatch, Alyansa ng Magsasaka para sa Kalikasan ng Kasibu, and Didipio Earth Savers Movement (DESAMA) declare their rejection of the continued illegal and destructive operations of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI).

One hundred local farmers and indigenous peoples from the village of Didipio gathered in front of the OGPI satellite office to dramatize their demand for the immediate closure of the mines; to highlight the expired Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) of OGPI with the Philippine Government.

“Mula pa sa simula ayaw na namin ng mina. Sapat na ang 25 taon ng kanilang pagpapayaman sa pagsira ng kabundukan,” said Rolando Pulido, Chairman, DESAMA.

(“From the very beginning we did not want mining. 25 years of profiteering from the destruction of the mountains is enough.”)

OGPI has been operating destructively for over 25 years. Their operations have led to the displacement of the local indigenous communities and the detriment of the forests and rivers surrounding Nueva Vizcaya, including the reduced water supply for domestic use of families around the mine.

Read more @www.alyansatigilmina.net

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[Event] Day of International Solidarity Against OceanaGold Ph Inc. -SEED

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Join us in our twitter party, calling President Rodrigo Duterte to #StopMiningInDidipio and immediately cancel @OceanaGold ‘s FTAA. #EndMiningInDidipio!

CANCEL OCEANAGOLD’S MINING CONTRACT NOW

Respect the people’s will! Stop illegal operations in Didipio mines!

Environmental and human rights groups in the Philippines support the resistance led by the Didipio Earth Savers Movement (DESAMA) and Didipio-Watch against destructive and irresponsible mining in Nueva Vizcaya.

Last 21 June 2019, farmers and indigenous peoples from the village of Didipio, in Kasibu town, Nueva Vizcaya set-up a peoples barricade to prevent the illegal operations of Didipio mines, owned by OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI). OGPI’s mining contract (Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement # 1) expired last June 20, 2019, and failed to secure a renewal of this agreement.

We demand the following, in support to the struggle being led by DESAMA, Didipio-Watch and other local organizations in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya:

1. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte must immediately cancel OGPI’s contract and order the stop of illegal mining operations of OGPI. Since its mining contract has expired and has failed to secure a renewal, OGPI has no right to continue posing a threat to the forests and water resources in Nueva VIzcaya.

2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must immediately revoke its favorable endorsement for the application of FTAA renewal. DENR has failed to ensure that precautionary principles are enforced in the review and assessment of the mining contract, and has merely relied on technical compliance of OGPI in submitting its application for renewal.

3. The national government must respect and recognize the autonomy of local governments affected by mining operations of OGPI. All three local governments impacted by OGPI’s operations have expressed their opposition, and this is a truthful reflection of the will of the people.

4. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) should comprehensively conduct in a transparent, inclusive and participative manner all consultations, field based investigations and negotiations for the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of all indigenous peoples in the affected areas, including migrant IPs who have settled and lived in area for more than four decades.

5. The DENR must demand a new and updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from OGPI and issue a new Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as part of the requirement for the renewal of the FTAA.

For genuine freedoms,

Jaybee Garganera
National Coordinator
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)

Yoly Esguerra
Executive Director
Philippine Misereor Partneship, Inc. (PMPI)

Fr. Edwin Gariguez
Executive Secretary
National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)

Mai Taqueban
Executive Director
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC-KsK/FOE-Phils)

Pamela Grafilo
Executive Director
Bantay-Kita Publish What You Pay – Philippines (BK/PWYP-Phils)

Judy Pasimio
Coordinator
LILAK-Purple Action for Indigenous Women

Joseph Purugganan
Head
Focus on the Global South – Philippines

Ruth Canlas
Coordinator
Non-Timber Forest Product Exchange
Program – Philippines (NTFPEP-Phils)

https://www.facebook.com/events/898667947150060/

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[Video/Film] BALITOK goes to Nueva Vizcaya

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Balitok small poster

BALITOK goes to Nueva Vizcaya. January 30 ( Wednesday) 3PM at Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) Gymnasium

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151299757185896&set=pcb.10151299780515896&type=1&theater

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[Press Release] Likas-Yaman caravan: Pass the Alternative Minerals Management Bill!

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Likas-Yaman caravan: Pass the Alternative Minerals Management Bill!

IPs, farmers, fisherfolks and church leaders bring their calls before the 15th Congress

Two thousand supporters from communities in Metro Manila joined the 350-strong leaders of indigenous communities, farmers, fisherfolks and church leaders and marched towards the House of Representatives to call on legislators to pass the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB).

Today is the last day of a 4-day caravan, which started last October 14 from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and culminates today. Part of the whole day program will be a stopover at the House of Representatives to have a dialogue with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and at the same time hold a creative action outside.

The dialogue is in time for the deliberation and consolidation of the minerals management bills currently lodged at the House Committee on Natural Resources set to be discussed and adopted this afternoon.

Long-time champions of AMMB – Reps. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Carlos Padilla, Kaka Bag-ao, Walden Bello, Rufus Rodriguez, and Erin Tañada will be joining the representatives of the contingent in the dialogue.

“I call on my fellow legislators to urgently pass the alternative minerals management bill that would repeal the Mining Act of 1995,” Rep. Baguilat said. He further reiterates, “it is time to correct the historical injustices committed against indigenous peoples and give due justice to their struggles. We should throw away our long standing colonial framework in mineral extraction and institute a rational needs-based mineral governance that would cater to our sustainable development.”

Carmen Ananayo, an IP woman from Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya, also said that the passage of AMMB is pro-women because with mining, violence in affected communities escalates and the indigenous women are the first to become victims of this aggression.

Apart from the passage of AMMB, the contingent also calls for the following: (1) revocation of the FTAAs of OceanaGold Philippines Inc for the Didipio Gold and Copper Project and SMI/Xstrata for the Tampakan Copper Gold Mining Project and (2) moratorium on all large-scale mining operations in the country.

After the dialogue with legislators, the contingent will meet more supporters from different stops (Sto. Domingo Parish, Welcome Rotonda and UST, España. From this point, the Likas-Yaman caravan contingent will march towards Malacañang in Mendiola with the aim of a dialogue with President Nonoy Aquino III.

The Mendiola program will start with a mass and continue with a cultural night.

—

SOS-Yamang Bayan Network is a national, multi-sectoral movement is composed of mining-affected communities, national peoples alliances, environmental organizations and networks, church-based organizations, human rights organizations, national NGOs, sectoral organizations from the indigenous peoples, youth, women, farmers, Congressional representatives, known leaders and personalities advocating for the repealing of the Mining Act of 1995 and the enactment of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

For more information, contact the SOS-Yamang Bayan Network Secretariat through
Gerry Arances, 0939.241.5575, gerry.arances@lrcksk.org
Farah Sevilla, 0915.331.3361, policy@alyansatigilmina.net

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[Press Release] IPs, farmers join caravan to call for the passage of a new minerals management bill -SOS Yamang Bayan

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IPs, farmers join caravan to call for the passage of a new minerals management bill
Nueva Ecija, Pampanga leg calls for food security to be top priority over mining

Quezon City—Three hundred strong indigenous peoples and farmers from parts of Region 2 joined the caravan that call for a rational mining policy.

Today, the group will stop in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija where farmer leaders will discuss the negative impacts of mining in their agricultural lands and increase their risk to disasters brought by heavy rains in the area. As they reach the last leg of the day in San Fernando, Pampanga, they will converge with the IP contingent from Zambales.

“We have seen in several provinces affected by large scale mining that food security has been put aside,” said Gerry Arances, AMMB Coordinator of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center.

He added: “Mining is one of the most water-intensive industries globally. Ad ounce of gold, for example, would need 32,000 liters of fresh water to produce—this water will be polluted and diverted from domestic and agricultural needs of indigenous peoples and farmers.”

The Likas-Yaman Caravan for the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (Likas-Yaman Caravan para sa AMMB) is a 4-day caravan that started from Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya last October 14 and will culminate in Mendiola on the 17th.

IP’s call to action

The Indigenous people from Dupax, Quirino and Didipio, Kasibu of Nueva Vizcaya calls to the government to heed their call against large-scale mining.

Remo Bolhayon of the IP coalition SALAKNIB said: “[that] the government should revoke the FTAA of the OceanaGold Philippines (OGPI), that the government should impose a mining moratorium in Nueva Vizcaya and to pass the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (Philippine Mineral Resources Act of 2012).”

Church leaders support the call, action

The caravan is supported by the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of the Philippines—National Secretariat for Social Action—Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) and the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, who together with the communities call upon President Benigno Aquino III to immediately repeal the Mining Act of 1995 and prioritize the passage of the Philippine Mineral Resources Act of 2012 a.k.a. AMMB.

CBCP-NASSA executive secretary Fr Edu Gariguez said: “The impacts of mining to farmers, indigenous peoples, the poor in our country—are undeniable. It will be completely unfair if this government will not heed their call to ensure food security first, before prioritizing the continued large scale mining operations in the country.”

That is why the CBCP-NASSA has been asking the government to put a stop to mining first, and enact a rational mining policy, which for us is embodied in the AMMB,” he added.

The Technical Working Group of the Natural Resources Committee of the 15th Congress is now deliberating the AMMB. Said committee is expected to meet on the morning of October 17 to deliberate on and adopt the consolidated minerals management bill—including House Bills 206, 4763, 4315 and several minor mining-related bills.

—

SOS-Yamang Bayan Network is a national, multi-sectoral movement is composed of mining-affected communities, national peoples alliances, environmental organizations and networks, church-based organizations, human rights organizations, national NGOs, sectoral organizations from the indigenous peoples, youth, women, farmers, Congressional representatives, known leaders and personalities advocating for the repealing of the Mining Act of 1995 and the enactment of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

For more information, contact the SOS-Yamang Bayan Network Secretariat through?
Gerry Arances, 0939.241.5575, gerry.arances@lrcksk.org
Farah Sevilla, 0915.331.3361, policy@alyansatigilmina.net

[Event/Featured Photo] SOS-YB network’s #AMMBcaravan marched towards the Capitol building in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

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SOS-YB network’s #AMMBcaravan marched towards the Capitol building in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Indigenous peoples, farmers lead the people and call on the government for the revocation of OceanaGold Philippines Inc FTAA, and the immediate passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill!

No to the DIDIPIO GOLD-COPPER PROJECT!

For more information and phone interview, please contact:
Valentin de Guzman, 0909-9657509, and/or Val Vibal, 0927-3129300; 0932-8597921

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[Press Release] IPs, green groups slam Oceana Gold and Diduyon Dam Project in Nueva Vizcaya, again!-ATM

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IPs, green groups slam Oceana Gold and Diduyon Dam Project in Nueva Vizcaya, again!
Earth Day celebration ended with prayer rally for agriculture and IP rights

Photo source Alyansa Tigil Mina

Nueva Vizcaya–Dressed in their tribal attire and armed with nothing but slogans and streamers saying “madimit kayat ti mina” (no to mining), more than 300 residents and Ifugaos of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya with support from various civil society groups camped in front of Kasibu Municipal Hall to exclaim their opposition against the mining operation of Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) and the proposed Diduyon Dam project.

“Gusto naming muling igiit ang nagkakaisang damdamin ng mga mamamayan at katutubo ng aming bayan na ayaw namin sa mina,” (we would like to stress again the united stand of the residents and IP groups in our town that we do not like mining) said Raymundo Bolyahon, chairperson of Salaknib, an alliance of people’s organization in Nueva Vizcaya as they celebrated Earth Day.

“Buhay at kabuhayan ang kailangan namin hindi ang mga proyektong makakasira lamang sa aming kalikasan,” (we give more importance to life and our livelihood than the projects that will only destroy our environment) Bolyahon added.

Lorenzo Pulido, vice-president of Didipio Earth-Savers Multi-purpose Association (DESAMA) also said, “Dapat malaman at maalala ng pamahalaan na may mga Kasibu na ayaw sa mina. Handa kaming ituloy ang laban na mapa-alis ang minahan sa aming bayan.” (The government should know and remember that there are people in Kasibu who are against mining. We will push through with our fight to kick mining out in our town).

No business permit for OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.

The group also filed a local resolution in Kasibu Sangguniang Bayan pushing to deny the “permit to operate” for OGPI for grave disregard of their human rights. They have noted various violations including the aggressive dispersal of some residents in Didipio and the harassment to a barangay official accused of instigating opposition to OGPI.

“The community had experienced coercions from OceanaGold – from the displacement of people, violence from local police and sabotage to their livelihood. These should be more than enough for the government to break off the operation of OGPI,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

The resolution is also calling for a CEASE and DESIST order to hamper any further operations of OGPI.

-more-

Save Nueva Vizcaya

Aside from the resolution, the group also launched a signature-campaign that aims to gather more than 6,000 autographs that will attest to the stronghold of people opposing OGPI and the dam project.

Leaders of Salaknib include the Kasibu Inter-tribal Response for Ecological Development (KIRED), DESAMA, Bileg ti Barangay Bitnong (3B) and Malabing Valley Tribal Association (MVTA) also issued a statement of support to the bill passed by Congressman Carlos M. Padilla declaring Nueva Vizcaya as a mining free zone.

Likewise, the alliance also supported the call to repeal the Philippine Mining Act and urged the government to enact a new minerals management bill that will ensure that indigenous peoples right to self-determination and to manage their ancestral domains is respected.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who are opposing the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and the passage of the Philippine Mineral Resources Act a.k.a. Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, (0927) 761.76.02
Farah Sevilla, ATM Policy Research & Advocacy Officer, (0915) 331.33.61

Press Release
April 30, 2012

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Press Release] Australia mining aid for PH questioned – ATM

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Melbourne, Australia – Filipino and Australian organizations criticized Prime Minister Julia Gillard for launching a $127 million ‘smart aid’ for poor but mineral-rich nations during a forum at the University of Melbourne.

Recently, the Gillard government has launched ‘Mining for Development Initiative’ which aims to help more than 30 developing countries, including the Philippines, address mining related challenges, including everything from managing environmental impacts of mining to governance issues.

Mining Action Philippines – Australia (MAP-Oz), a mining watchdog composed of various Filipino and Australian citizens and organizations including Friends of the Earth and Haribon Foundation, said that the initiative will not really address the emerging issues on mining in the Philippines such as extra-judicial killings, human rights violations, indigenous land grabbing, environmental destruction and corruption.

“While the main aid for the Philippines is for scholarships and trainings either in the country or in Australia, we cannot deny the fact that there are a lot of conflicting mining issues and policies which should be addressed by both the government and the mining industry. The Gillard government should think twice in granting aids to a country where issues are not solved and wrongly addressed,” MAP-Oz declared in its statement.

There are at least 11 Australian mining companies in the Philippines with licenses to operate and explore including OceanaGold, Xstrata, Indophil, Central Gold Asia, Pelican Resources and Mindoro Resources Limited.

Earlier this year, the highest human rights body in the Philippines released a statement, following a lengthy process of investigating community claims, saying that its findings confirmed Australian mining company OceanaGold had committed gross violations of human rights against the people of the remote and mountainous area of the Philippines, Nueva Vizcaya, including illegal and violent demotion of 187 houses.

Jubilee Australia executive director Adele Webb claimed that the ʻProtect, Respect and Remedyʼ Framework of UN Special Representative Professor John Ruggie, endorsed by Australia as member of the UN Human Rights Council this year, makes it clear that states have a duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties including business enterprises, through appropriate policies, regulation, and adjudication.

‘Yet the Australia government gives companies no authoritative guidance on how to avoid negative affects in their operations overseas, and there exists no accountability and enforcement mechanisms when such breaches occur and while there is much patting on the back about joint industry and Australian aid funded scholarship programs in countries like the Philippines, there is an eerie silence about what remote indigenous communities are facing on the ground,’ lamented Webb.

Meanwhile, MAP-Oz convener Alyansa Tigil Mina, a Philippine-based alliance with more than 90 mining affected community organizations and support groups, exposed that a large mine owned by Australia-based Xstrata Copper and Indophil Resources NL will soon be opened in Mindanao region which has the largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia. However, the local government of South Cotabato had banned open pit mining in the province and the mining company is presently pressuring the national government and the local officials to lift the ban.

According to technical studies of the mining company, the mines will cause extensive disturbance of almost 10,000 hectares of forest lands, which serve as watersheds of South Cotabato and other three Mindanao provinces and will cut down 4,000 hectares of forests including old growth forests, which are initial components of the protected areas system. It will also displace more than 2,600 people belonging to the B’laan indigenous community.

“With the recent approval of deploying mining militia; and emerging issues on human rights violations, environmental destruction, inequitable tax share and questionable mining licenses; is the Philippines ready for Australia’s ‘smart aid’? Are the Australian people ready to share and participate in the ongoing history of Philippine mining?” Alyansa Tigil Mina statement declared.

Members of MAP-Oz are re-echoing the call of Philippine civil society movements, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), The Uniited Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) for the revocation of Philippine Executive Order 270-A which liberalizes the mining industry, scrapping of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the passage of alternative minerals management bills lodged in the House of Representatives which will lead to a human rights-centered law, establishment of mining no go zones and respect of indigenous peoples rights.

For more information, please contact
Mining Action Philippines-Australia: sos@alyansatigilmina.net; +614.7706.5312
Jubilee Australia: adele@jubileeaustralia.org; +612.8259.0817
Alyansa Tigil Mina: nc@alyansatigilmina.net; +639.27761.7602

[Press Release] SLAPP suit against Ifugaos in Didipio, dismissed – lrcksk.org

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“Finally! We can now sleep without fear of being arrested anytime.” exclaimed Mr. Jaime Ananayo, one of the 9 accused ifugaos and a member of Didipio Earth Savers Multipurpose Association (DESAMA).

After more than 2 years of waiting, Indigenous Ifugaos of Didipio Nueva Vizcaya were euphoric yesterday upon hearing Judge Atorba of the Municipal Trial Court of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya dismissed the case filed against them by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for allegedly occupying forest lands illegally.

The case was filed against 9 indigenous Ifugaos for allegedly violating Section 69 of the Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code branding them as “illegal forest occupants”. Majority of the 9 indigenous Ifugaos are leaders and members of DESAMA, an organization resisting the large-scale mining project in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya awarded to OceanaGold, an Australian mining company.

“This dismissal only proves that we were right from the very beginning. They were just trying to harass or intimidate us because of our opposition to the large-scale mining project in our village,” adds Mr. Ananayo.

According to Atty. Minerva Quintela, legal counsel of the accused and lawyer from the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), “These are Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases filed against members of our partner community which are invalid and abusive suits designed to chill the opposition against large-scale mining in BaranggayDidipio. Based on the new Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, this is ground for dismissal under Rule 19. ”

“Our partners cannot be accused as ‘illegal forest occupants’ because they have legally occupied their lands since the 1960’s and 1970’s in pursuit of livelihood based on various legal tenurial instruments. Also, the revised Forest Code, Section 53 clearly shows that ‘cultural minorities and other occupants who entered into forest lands and grazing lands before May 19, 1975, without permit or authority SHALL NOT BE PROSECUTED’.” adds Atty. Quintela.

“This decision by Judge Atorba reinvigorates our resolve to continue the fight for our rights and our lands. To continue our two decade struggle against large-scale mining project in our village. That in the end, truth, law and history is on our side,” avers ManongTolentinoInlab, Chairperson of the indignant DESAMA.

LRC Executive Director, Judy Pasimio says that, “Filing SLAPP suits against community rights defenders is one of the common tactics employed by mining companies designed to break the resolve of resisters opposing their mining projects.  What is deplorable in this case is that the DENR has lent itself to be part of the mining company’s tactics to silence the DESAMA leaders and members.”

“It is fortunate that the resolve of the Ifugaos of Didipio is unwavering, and that they were able to overcome this particular hurdle.Many others have not been this fortunate. This situation only bolsters the urgent need for a new law on mining and minerals management; a new law that promotes and safeguards the rights of the people, most importantly that of the indigenous peoples,” Pasimio said.

For more details please contact:

Judy Pasimio at 09228299460 or judy.pasimio@lrcksk.org
Atty. Minerva Quintela at 09164809428 or yeye.quintela@lrcksk.org
Tino Inlab at 09264712271
Gerry Arances at 09228307758 or gerry.arances@lrcksk.org

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