In Solidarity to the Brave People of Sibuyan Island
I joined our people in condemning to the highest possible degree the extremely violent dispersal done by the powers that be recently against the brave people of Sibuyan Island who are peacefully protesting collectively and airing their disgust and rejection of the intended mining activities to their beautiful province.
Their resistance was through a human barricade was forcefully manhandled and viciously dismantled by the police which is a grave violation of the protestors constitutionally sacred rights. I cannot help but wonder, why it is that the police are trampling on the rights of the citizens, the very people that pay taxes in order for those idiots to have their salaries. Hence, I have to ask the categorical questions no matter how inconvenient and uncomfortable they may be: who are they serving and who are they protecting? It is clear that they are not for the people’s welfare; it is correct to inquire: are they also in the pay roll of the mining industry?
I forge my solidarity to the valiant people of Sibuyan Island and throwing my full support to their just struggle for a balance nature and ecological harmony.
I am also supporting the proposed Senate inquiry by Senator Hontiveros not only to look at the root cause of all these issues but primordially to investigate the mining activities in the area and determined who are the culprits who uses excessive force in the brief scuffle that erupted and shown all over the world, as usual to the shame of all Filipinos.
Environmental defenders in Sibuyan, Romblon called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a cease and desist order that would stop the operations of Altai Philippines Mining Company (APMC). According to the DENR findings:
APMC violated PD 1067 known as the Water Code of the Philippines- shore easement construction of structures
APMC violated DAO 2004-24 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations – no foreshore lease agreement (Sec. 2c); salvage zone construction
APMC violated Section 4 of PD 1586 – construction of causeway without Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
APMC violated Section 77 of PD 705 – cutting/clearing of trees without permit “Hinihihingi natin ang agarang aksyon ng DENR Secretary through MGB Regional Director to issue a cease and desist order. Ang mabagal na aksyon ng DENR ay magdudulot ng malawak na pinsala sa Isla ng Sibuyan at kapahamakan sa mga mamamayan, “ said Elizabeth Ibañez, Coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM).
Sibuyanons barricade pier due to Altai Mining Company’s illegal operation
Sibuyan residents set up a barricade in front of the pier being constructed by Altai Philippines Mining Company in Sitio Bato España, San Fernando, Romblon to oppose the illegal operations of the mining company, which have not secured the necessary permits and documents for their mining activities.
Elizabeth Ibañez, Coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) and member of the Council of Leaders (COL) of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), said the illegal activities of the Altai Mining must be immediately investigated. “We demand swift action from the local governments of the province and municipalities, and the pertinent government agencies such as the DENR and BFAR to stop the mining operations of the company and hold them accountable for their illegal activities,” she said.
According to Ibañez, the protesters are demanding that the mining company produce the following documents: barangay clearance, municipal business permit, DENR foreshore lease contract, and PPA permit to construct a private port.
Typhoon Haiyan speaks to us of climate inaction, injustice, apathy and irresponsibility.
Enough with all the suffering, enough with this madness. When will they listen? When there will be no people to listen to? When our voices are buried with the rubble left by storm surges and strong winds?
As help from different parts of the globe arrives, we are thankful for the the sympathy – but what we need most is empathy. After global assistance has been delivered, states emitting large amount of carbon dioxide may still remain business as usual.
They must submit themselves to a legally binding commitment to reduce carbon emissions, or else we will expect more typhoons which are larger and more intense.
This is the price of carbon, but we are confused – why are we the ones paying almost every year? We continue to seek climate justice. Climate debt must be settled.
Our islands, in 2008, suffered the deluge brought by Typhoon Fengshen. In 2009, Typhoons Ketsana and Parma; followed by Megi in 2010; then, Nesat and Washi in 2011; Bopha in 2012 – and now Haiyan, with an estimated damage of about $14 billion.
Haiyan is the worst of that cluster. And, as it lashed our communities, affecting millions of innocent people, it may finally exhaust our unique Filipino resiliency.
We thank the world for their kindness but we expect developed countries to take ambitious steps to prevent more Haiyans. We have suffered enough.
For four years, since 2009, I have worked with the communities living in Manicani and Homonhon Islands off Guiuan town in Eastern Samar. I haven’t heard anything about them since Haiyan hit the islands.
I haven’t heard about our partner community in MacArthur, Leyte. I am worried and I mourn. The devastation is beyond imagination, beyond compare.
In my province of Romblon, where I decided to stay, the disaster risk reduction and management council was also hard hit by Haiyan. That’s especially so for the island of San Jose, the southern areas in Tablas Island and Sibuyan Island.
Almost 6000 households were partially damaged and around 750 families are without homes. The local government estimated the damage to around 80 million Philippine pesos ($2 million).
But there are small Philippine islands most people have never heard of that were smashed by Haiyan. So, an initiative to adopt a small island has commenced.
Our climate leaders here in the Philippines are doing all their best on how to help and assist. Brother Jaazeal Jakosalem and Father Manny Bolilia went to Tacloban City this weekend for a faith mission called “Spiritual Marines” to bless the dead and spiritually uplift the survivors. With their religious congregation, they have established the Heartanonymous campaign for relief efforts.
Now a local public official, Miguel Magalang, is starting a national initiative to re-orient a controversial pork barrel fund known locally as PDAF, to turn it into a disaster relief fund.
(Edited version of this article appeared in the newspapers The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Canberra Times. The original article was first published online by 350.org.)
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Iboto ang iyong #HRPinduterosChoice para sa HR BLOGSITE.
Ang botohan ay magsisimula ngayon hanggang sa 11:59PM ng Nov 15, 2013.
IKAW PARA KANINO KA PIPINDOT? Simple lang bumoto:
• i-LIKE ang thumbnail/s ng iyong mga ibinoboto, i-share at ikampanya.
• Bisitahin ang LINK ng poll sa HRonlinePH.com (links sa bawat thumbnail) at pindutin ang button sa poll sa ilalim ng bawat nominadong post. Vote @
• Most number of the combined likes sa FB at sa poll buttons ang magiging 3rd HR Pinduteros Choice na kikilalanin sa 2013 HR week celebration.
Makiisa sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon hinggil sa karapatang pantao. Pindot na!
FREE ZONE ZONE where thoughts and actions on human rights are FREE By Renato Mabunga
This page is a mere sounding board for a lively, fruitful and pluralistic discussions, a platform for opinions, and an arena for constructive dialogues where we may all learn and share thoughts… grand or simple as they may be… on human rights and our fundamental freedoms.
TAO MUNA-HINDI MINA! Kalikasan at tao muna- hindi tubo at kita. Managed by TFDP
Members of Civil Society, Faith based organizations and Human Rights Defenders working against destructive mining in the country are launching a campaign dubbed “TAO MUNA HINDI MINA!”. It is a campaign to assert that government as duty bearer should uphold human rights and protect the environment, and should conduct its affairs consistent with human rights standards and principles.
http:// taomunahindimina.wordpress.com/ 3. koihernandez.wordpress.com
The opinions of a challenge-oriented, courageous, creative and curious youth in transition to becoming an adult. WARNING: I am not for the FAINT-HEARTED
The objective for founding SAD was to provide the children with much-needed rehabilitaion. In its early years, the focus of SAD was the attainment of this objective. Rehabilitation sessions and family conferences were conducted to help the children cope with their parents’ disappearance.
5. rodrigo75.wordpress.com
DEKONZTRUKTSCHON thinkering thoughts By Rodrigo Rivera
is about looking at things differently, breaking the whole into its parts to understand each piece that makes the whole, then putting them again together as a new construction. It’s simply a way of thinking, of knowing and of understanding. The posts here are critical, reflexive and constructive attempts of life discourse – an exercise of being academic, political, apolitical, sometimes cynical and skeptic, theoretical, simple or unusual. This blog attempts to contribute to human understanding of their life realities by examining things in their social world with a different lense – deconstruction for reconstruction of knowledge.
6. digitelemployeesunion.wordpress.com
DIGITAL EMPLOYEES UNION
• Closure, Integration of operation to PLDT – Redundancy cum (ERP) Retire – Rehire No Way! • Absorb Digitel employees in the Integration of Digitel Operation to PLDT
• Negotiate CBA with the DEU immediately, Without Further Delay!
7. rodgalicha.com
WE ARE NATURE By Rodney Galicha
Protecting the biodiversity and natural resources of Sibuyan Island (known as the Galapagos of Asia) through sustainable programs and social media, Galicha has been serving as executive director[7] of Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) since 2007. His group, Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) successfully campaigned against nickel mining giant BHP Billiton and lobbied for the suspension of mineral extraction of a Canada-based mining company being operated by a Filipino corporation.[8][9] He also helped the Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) in a successful campaign against a Canada-based mining giant Ivanhoe.[10] He also helped organize Mining Action Philippines – Australia (MAP-Oz), a mining watchdog based in Australia.
8. dars0357.wordpress.com
CARPE DIEM Seize the Moment. Be Critical. Be Involved. Be Heard By Darwin Mendiola
Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace which means “seize the day”. Carpe is literally translated as “to pick, pluck, pluck off, cull, crop, gather”. Diem on the other hand simply connotes “day”. Roman poet Ovid used this phrase to mean “to enjoy, seize, use, and live”. For the author, this is about changing our attitude – by simply being critical, being involved and to express one’s thought. This is what this blog is trying to do – just to contribute in the understanding of the social realities by examining issues that affect our lives.
Carpe diem is a call for individual and collective action.
9. matangapoy.blogspot.com
MATANG APOY By Greg Bituin
Wala akong yaman kundi ang panitik
Na kaulayaw ko sa gabing tahimik
Gamit sa paglikha ng tulang mabagsik
Na kapag tumama’y singtalim ng lintik
10. cannotallowtorture.blogspot.com
CAT ALERT! Cannot Allow Torture Philippines By TFDP
“…torture has been humanity’s option for clinging to power and in suppressing truth. We cannot allow torture in anyway.”
Buhay Hayaang Yumabong or BUHAY party-list got three seats for the next Congress as it gained victory, garnering 1,265,992 votes equivalent to 4.74 percent of the total votes cast.
Buhay’s core principles are based on the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag: for God, people, environment and country. Being pro-God is to recognize the sole right of God being the Creator to give and take away human life – the reason to oppose the Reproductive Health (RH) law. The second principle speaks of human rights in the perspective of belief in the first principle.
In being maka-kalikasan or pro-environment, Buhay believes that the Creator gave us abundant and overflowing natural resources which must be developed and used justly for the benefit of all Filipinos and the next generation – not only for the chosen few.
For country, Buhay sees that the Philippines was formed by God to be emulated by the world through the promotion of good and effective governance.
And here comes the second nominee of the top party-list: the incoming congressman Lito Atienza. Personally, I saw fiery swords falling from the heavens!
Atienza headed DENR from 2007 until 2009 under the baton of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The latter was bullish in promoting the mining industry left and right through Executive Order 270-A and the Mining Act of 1995 despite lack of social acceptability and environmental threats to communities.
One working day, on December 23, 2009, before Atienza resigned as DENR secretary, he signed five mineral production sharing agreement permits and three exploration permits. What was questionable? All these are midnight deals. How come? December 24th was non-working holiday, 25th a regular holiday, 26th was a Saturday and 27th was Sunday. He resigned December 28th, Monday.
In 2007, he vowed to help us in Sibuyan as we personally delivered our petitions and opposition letters against nickel mining. After an anti-mining activist was shot to death, even the three mayors of our island, namely Ibarra Manzala, Nanette Tansingco and Nicasio Ramos that year signed a memorandum of agreement that destructive mining shall not be allowed. Even the barangay councils revoked former recommendatory resolutions. But lo and behold, in 2009, Atienza signed through a midnight deal an MPSA for 1,581 hectares of land to mine nickel, iron, cobalt, chromite and other associated mineral deposits.
This abominable act of Atienza is a total deviation from the very principles of Buhay party-list. It is against the integrity of creation, the right to life of the communities which also includes basic human rights, and good governance.
Atienza must be held accountable by Buhay itself, in the first place. By approving mining in my island, the source of our almost 95% clean energy is threatened – Cantingas River. It is also the source of our irrigation for our town’s rice granary on top of being the summer tourism capital of Sibuyan and apparently, of Romblon province as a whole.
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Romblonanons pass Environment and Natural Resources Code Mining identified as crucial environmental concern
On Monday, February 11, the Provincial Council of Romblon passed its Environment and Natural Resources Code that intends to legislate measures to protect and conserve its environment and natural resources, specifically on destructive industries such as mining and logging.
Gov. Eduardo Firmalo said: “Finally, the Environment Code is passed! We are firm with our decision that Romblon is a special province, with beautiful resources that we should not forgo because of its promised development. As caretakers of our province, we agree that to protect the environment and natural resources is one of our important roles.”
Romblon provincial board member Felix Ylagan, the principal author of the environment code, said that it is timely to approved the ordinance to correct the errors made against the environment.
“The people have spoken very clearly, let there be liberality, it has been said time and again to ‘apply the law not by the letters that killeth but by the spirit that giveth life’; the legislation has far reaching benefits which will protect us now and those of our children’s children,” Ylagan said.
Among the most controversial sections include Sec. 64 on Mining where it stated:
Mining shall not be allowed within one (1) kilometer radius from a declared watershed or watershed areas as identified by the municipality concerned; Mining shall not be allowed above watershed areas regardless of its distance from the declared watershed areas; Mining shall not be allowed in tourism and agricultural areas as identified by the municipality concerned; in areas identified by Presidential Executive Order No. 79, series of 2012; and in Section 19 of Republic Act 7942 as provided shall be applicable within the purview of Section 64 of this Code.
Reacting to the recent passage of the ordinance, Sibuyan Islands Sentinels League for Environment (Sibuyan ISLE) said that the legislation challenges local government units to integrate climate change action and disaster risk reduction management plans in their development programs.
Sibuyan ISLE director Rodne Galicha said: “The path to sustainable development has been laid down and the decision-makers must implement programs which will not worsen the effects of the climate crisis—conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment are top priorities as well.”
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) welcomed this development and encouraged more local governments to legislate regulations to mining despite reported intimidation by some national government agencies to give favor to mining operations.
“We are pleased to find out that the provincial policy has been passed already, mainly because we believe that the local policy makers should take a stand and ensure that their environment is safe from critical industries. We congratulate the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Romblon,and the people for the strong political will!” Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of ATM said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) led by Msgr. Ernie Fetalino of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Ronelio Fabriquer of the Philippine Independent Church said: “Indeed the strong will of the people reigned after many years—it is the moral obligation of the Provincial Council to decide on the fate of the people towards a genuine environmental stewardship.”
REFAM further said that the approval of the environment code is a significant gift to Romblomanons on the second year commemoration of the province’s biggest anti-mining rally on February 14.
The Romblon Environment Code is passed three years after the South Cotabato Environment Code was passed. This is one of the reasons why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cannot issue SMI-Xstrata’s Environmental Compliance Certificate for the Tampakan mining project.
Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM)/Sibuyan Isle, Alliance of Students Against Mining (ASAM) and REFAM together with other lay leaders awaited the adoption of the said Environmental Code.
Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the AMMB. (30)
For more information:
Felix Ylagan, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 0928-5031215
Pearl Harder, REFAM Secretariat, 0917-5927932
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, nc@alyansatigilmina.net, 0927-7617602
Farah Sevilla, Policy Research and Advocacy Officer, policy@alyansatigilmina.net, 0915-3313361
PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2013
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.
Romblonanons pass Environment and Natural Resources Code Mining identified as crucial environmental concern
On Monday, February 11, the Provincial Council of Romblon passed its Environment and Natural Resources Code that intends to legislate measures to protect and conserve its environment and natural resources, specifically on destructive industries such as mining and logging.
Gov. Eduardo Firmalo said: “Finally, the Environment Code is passed! We are firm with our decision that Romblon is a special province, with beautiful resources that we should not forgo because of its promised development. As caretakers of our province, we agree that to protect the environment and natural resources is one of our important roles.”
Romblon provincial board member Felix Ylagan, the principal author of the environment code, said that it is timely to approved the ordinance to correct the errors made against the environment.
“The people have spoken very clearly, let there be liberality, it has been said time and again to ‘apply the law not by the letters that killeth but by the spirit that giveth life’; the legislation has far reaching benefits which will protect us now and those of our children’s children,” Ylagan said.
Among the most controversial sections include Sec. 64 on Mining where it stated:
Mining shall not be allowed within one (1) kilometer radius from a declared watershed or watershed areas as identified by the municipality concerned;
Mining shall not be allowed above watershed areas regardless of its distance from the declared watershed areas;
Mining shall not be allowed in tourism and agricultural areas as identified by the municipality concerned; in areas identified by Presidential Executive Order No. 79, series of 2012; and in Section 19 of Republic Act 7942 as provided shall be applicable within the purview of Section 64 of this Code.
Reacting to the recent passage of the ordinance, Sibuyan Islands Sentinels League for Environment (Sibuyan ISLE) said that the legislation challenges local government units to integrate climate change action and disaster risk reduction management plans in their development programs.
Sibuyan ISLE director Rodne Galicha said: “The path to sustainable development has been laid down and the decision-makers must implement programs which will not worsen the effects of the climate crisis—conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the environment are top priorities as well.”
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) welcomed this development and encouraged more local governments to legislate regulations to mining despite reported intimidation by some national government agencies to give favor to mining operations.
“We are pleased to find out that the provincial policy has been passed already, mainly because we believe that the local policy makers should take a stand and ensure that their environment is safe from critical industries. We congratulate the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Romblon,and the people for the strong political will!” Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of ATM said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) said: “Indeed the strong will of the people reigned after many years—it is the moral obligation of the Provincial Council to decide on the fate of the people towards a genuine environmental stewardship.”
The Romblon Environment Code is passed three years after the South Cotabato Environment Code was passed. This is one of the reasons why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cannot issue SMI-Xstrata’s Environmental Compliance Certificate for the Tampakan mining project.
Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM)/Sibuyan Isle, Alliance of Students Against Mining (ASAM) and REFAM with Msgr. Ernie Fetalino of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Ronelio Fabriquer of the Philippine Independent Church together with other lay leaders awaited the adoption of the said Environmental Code.
Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the AMMB. (30)
For more information:
Felix Ilagan, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 0928-503. 215
Pearl Harder, REFAM Secretariat, 0917-5927932
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, nc@alyansatigilmina.net, 0927-7617602
Farah Sevilla, Policy Research and Advocacy Officer, policy@alyansatigilmina.net, 0915-3313361
Press Release
February 13, 2013
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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.
Romblon LGU rejects another mining application Asserts provisions in P-Noy’s mining policy
San Fernando, Romblon – Municipality of San Fernando in Sibuyan, Romblon will not participate in any process pertaining to the application for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of Fil-China Mining Development Corporation, said Mayor Dindo C. Rios.
In a letter dated last August 13 sent to Roland de Jesus, MGB Regional Director for MIMAROPA, Mayor Rios stressed the provisions in the mining Executive Order 79 (EO 79) stating that protected areas shall be spared from mining.
‘The whole island is a protected area as a mangrove swamp forest reserve pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 2152,’ explained Mayor Dios. He also clarified that Sibuyan Island is also listed among the Tourism Development Areas (TDA), which had been declared as no go zone for mining.
Meanwhile, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) hailed this action of Romblon LGU for protecting their islands and recognizing that mining activities will further aggravate the susceptibility to landslide and flooding of many areas in the municipality.
“It was just disappointing that DENR themselves are the ones pushing for projects closed to mining. Even before the EO was released, there are already existing policies protecting Sibuyan including a local legislation opposing mining in the island,” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator.
Alyansa Tigil Mina 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 passage of the AMMB. (30)
—
For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator;, nc@alyansatigilmina.net, 09277617602
Rodne Galicha, ATM Sites of Struggle Officer; sos@alyansatigilmina.net, 09052850700
Edel S. Garingan – ATM Media and Communication Officer: communications@alyansatigilmina.net,
0922-8918972
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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.
The queen and I: remembering Maita
by Rodne Galicha
July 14, 2012
“Hapi birthday my dear Rodne.”
That was the last text message I received from Maita.
Yes, I did not know her at first.
The first time I heard her name was when I was still a volunteer for a mining policy reform campaign in 2008. She was interested to work for the campaign.
After two years, I met her in a cozy office of Action for Economic Reforms (AER), the home of a transparency in extractive industries campaign called Bantay Kita. I was tasked to assist her in a series of fora and focused group discussions on the economics and transparency in the mining industry.
I wanted to know more about her. I admit, before going to the office of Bantay Kita, I googled her name online and explored the web to learn more about this woman – the ordinariness of her extraordinary life.
I asked Fr. Archie Casey, a Scottish missionary, and my superior Jaybee Garganera about this ‘queen reformist turned economist’ and how to deal with her. They just smiled and at least I felt relieved.
Intimidating. That was my first impression. But when she stared back at me and called me by my first name with her husky voice coupled with a real smile, I know our work would be full of adventures.
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Manila – With the new mining Executive Order 79 exclaiming that all mining contracts, agreements, and concessions approved before the issuance of the policy will remain valid, binding and enforceable, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) remained doubtful that several potential eco-tourism landmarks like Lake Mainit in Agusan del Norte and the Sibuyan Island in Romblon will not be spared from the threat of large-scale mining.
ATM maintained its position that EO 79 is just continuing the misplaced policy detailed in the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or RA 7942, as the EO did not clarify which provisions will be given premium in its implementation. “There are eco-tourism sites and even potential eco-toursim locations where mining had been approved for exploration and even actual extraction activities are happening, so what will happen now?” asked Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of ATM.
Lake Mainit, Agusan del Norte
“That is just one problem in the EO; we cannot use it fully to resolve our on-going and very real issues with the mining industry just like the case in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.” Garganera added.
Garganera pointed out the struggle of the Mamanwa community around Lake Mainit who had been campaigning to halt the proposed mining project of Mindoro Resources Limited which will extract in ancestral domains just a few kilometers away from the lake.
“The lake has so much potential in terms of tourism, it is in fact already drawing local and international tourist. It is also a proclaimed protected area. We want the President to state directly that he is not just banning new mining permits around the area, but at the same time, in harmony of its intention to conserve Lake Mainit and its ecological significance, he is automatically suspending the operations and will be rejecting further proposals from MRL” Garganera exclaimed.
Sibuyan Island, Romblon
ATM also cited the on-going case in Sibuyan Island, Romblon where Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corporation challenged in court last May, the constitutional merit of the local ordinance declaring a moratorium on large-scale mining in Romblon.
“Again, what will happen now to this case? It is still business as usual, the threat to the wonderful rivers and biodiversity of Sibuyan is still there. The president has to understand that these are the cases we have to address, and unfortunately the EO falls short in this matter.” Garganera explained.
The group also mentioned that the same threat still present in other prospective areas such as Mount Matutum in South Cotabato which will be impacted by the planned Tampakan mining project of Sagittarius Mines Inc. and Xstrata
The group is frustrated that the EO is misleading in many aspects and no direct prescriptions or guidance that are useful to the communities.
“The provisions of EO 79 are all subject for debate and discretion of the implementing agencies; DENR will review existing contracts applying the same standards that they should have enforced anyway in the past years, while congress is tasked to decide over the adjustments in revenue sharing. When you have a law that all are still subject to decisions and prone to biases of the implementers, it is just the same with having no new policy at all. This is why we urgently need a new law for rational minerals managament,” Garganera said.
Alyansa Tigil Mina 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 passage of the AMMB. (30)
__
For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – 09277617602
Farah Sevilla – policy@alyansatigilmina.net; 0915-3313361
Edel S. Garingan – communications@alyansatigilmina.net; 0922-8918972
ATM Press Release
July 13, 2012
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Three-year imprisonment for killing environmental activist – Not enough!
Case is over with no justice, laments Marin family and supporters
Sibuyan, Romblon – Armin Marin, a staunch environmental activist in Sibuyan, Romblon and was then a member of the municipal council was shot dead on October 3, 2007 while leading a picket of hundreds of anti-mining advocates, after five years of investigation and court hearing, Mario Kingo, the man accused of killing Marin only received three-year imprisonment.
Killed but no murder
On May 23, 2012 in Magdiwang, Romblon, Executive Judge Ramiro R. Geronimo acquitted Mario Kingo from murder charges but was found guilty of criminal negligence and imprudence. The court ruling gave bearing on statement that the grappling of the gun between Marin and Kingo led to the incident.
In his verdict, Judge Geronimo promulgated that there was no substantial evidence to establish the intent to commit such crime.
Grapple for Justice
“The verdict had been served but not justice,” said Domingo Marin, father of Armin and president of Sibuyanon’s Against Mining. “We were upset upon hearing the decision. At this time, we don’t know what to do. We don’t just lose the case, it also feels like that we have lost our hope, justice is nowhere to find in this country” Domingo lamented.
On the other hand, Rodilisa Marin wife of Armin was completely devastated by the decision. “I really expect that the punishment would be more than just that, he was killed, killed helplessly.”
Growing Sympathy
Few hours after the verdict was announced, people in Sibuyan showed grave disappointment and rained their comments on various online portals. On Facebook, supporters of Armin Marin questioned the decision. “On what ground Ramiro Geronimo came up with that sentence, another insult to the injury for the victim? Geronimo should go back to law school, he seems to miss on a lot of things when it comes to making the call for justice,” said Romeo Sosbreno, facebook user.
A new Facebook page was also created to again call for justice for Armin Marin. The page, Justice to Armin, save Sibuyan (and Romblon Province), posted the actual photo of Marin during the time he was shot with blood bursting from his mouth.
Environmental groups and Human Rights Advocates were also dismayed on the court ruling.
Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina said that the killing of Armin was also a crime committed to the people of Sibuyan. “Hundred of protesters saw what happened, how Kingo grab Armin on his shirt drag him on his lap and shot him on his mouth. The promulgation is like telling the people that they are lying and what they saw did not happen.”
“But there is a bigger contentions on this,” said Garganera. “How it could be just ‘grappling’ of the gun, when Armin was shot in his mouth and the bullet went through the back of his head. It was hilariously bad; you grapple and put the gun in your mouth?”
Meanwhile, Fr. Edu Gariguez, 2012 Goldman Environmental Awardee and the executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action said that the promulgation sends a bad signal for other activist that putting their lives into the line is tantamount only to a three-year imprisonment of the murderer.
“Let us not forget the subject of protest of Armin and the people on Sibuyan. They want the Sibuyan Nickel Development Properties Corporation to pull out their mining project and make Sibuyan Island a mining-free zone,” Gariguez added.
Gariguez asked: “People are crying out loud for justice – for Armin Marin and the Sibuyan Island – will it ever be heard? People risked their lives for the environment and no justice to be served. Ganun na lang ba yun?” (30)
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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.
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Green heroes remembered Candles and prayers for environment martyrs
Manila – Groups in several key cities in the country offered candles and prayers yesterday to honor local environmental heroes as the International Day of Commemoration of the Heroes, Heroines and Martyrs of the Resistance against the Mining, Oil and Gas was celebrated worldwide. More than 1,000 religious, students, human rights and environmental activists gathered in Manila, Puerto Princesa, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro and offered prayers and flowers as relatives and friends of environmental heroes recalled lives and struggles of the heroes. Around 200 supporters from Manila gathered at the Pope Pius Center in UN Avenue, Manila, and set up portraits of fallen comrades as they chanted prayers and songs.
Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was the latest in the string of environmentalist that were killed this year alone, when he was gunned down in Cotabato last month. Early this year, Dr. Gerry Ortega from Palawan was shot and killed in Puerto Princesa. Another outspoken anti-mining activist, Datu Roy Gallego, was also killed in Surigao del Sur last Oct 17, 2011. Other documented killings that are related to mining include Councilor Armin Rios Marin from Sibuyan Island who was killed by a mining security guard last 2007 right in front of a rally against mining; Gensun Agustin from Cagayan Valley, gunned down in a highway last 2009, on his way from a an anti-mining forum he organized; and Rudy Segovia, shot and killed at a barricade set-up in Zamboanga del Norte to prevent the entry of mining equipment in their ancestral domains.
Violence in mining-affected areas have escalated recently, as attacks from communist rebels triggered military actions to defend mining interests were sanctioned by the national government.
“We seek justice for these martyrs. People and the governmnet must bring their assailants to justice, for true peace to be achieved”, said Judy Pasimio from Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center – Kasama sa Kalikasa (LRC-KsK). She added that “the Philippine government must not put the interests of the mining companies over the welfare of the community and the whole nation, by serving the greed of these large mining transnational corporations”.
Meanwhile, human rights groups also urged President Aquino to recall its policy of deploying more paramilitary groups to protect large-scale mining operations against rebel attacks. In early October this year, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) assaulted three mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
“There will be more environmental martyrs if this situation will continue because paramilitary groups in the Philippines have a long history of human rights violations against the civilian population,” Max de Mesa, chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) said in an interview. According to PAHRA, local human rights defenders documented in Surigao region, where the October attacks happened, numerous rights abuses such as harassment, torture, destruction of properties and land grabbing mostly committed by the military and civilian defense groups in connivance with mining and logging firms.
In Cebu, the City Council adopted a Special Resolution declaring Nov. 10 as a Day of Remembrance of Environmental Heroes and Martyrs. A briefing was held at the Cabrido Law Office, where the environmental martyrs were remembered and recognition to environmental groups was also held. A Paghandum or candle-lighting liturgy was held in the evening at Sto. Rosario Parish, Cebu City. The events were organized by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), SANLAKAS, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod-Cebu (KPML-Cebu), Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya-Cebu (KPD-Cebu), FDC-Cebu, CASE, TFDP-Visayas in coordination with the Cebu City’s Barangay Environmental Officers (BEO) association.
In Cagayan de Oro, a similar prayer-gathering was organized by alternative legal groups and human rights groups led by Amnesty International- Cagayan de Oro (AI-CDO), Legal rights and natural resources center (LRC) Balay alternative legal advocates for development in mindanaw (BALAOD), Ateneo de cagayan university (Xavier); Balay mindanao faoundation incorporated (BMFI), and Kaisahan tungo sa kaunlaran (KAISAHAN).
The events were part of the global solidarity actions for environmental heroes, where similar events were organized in Nigeria, Indonesia, Guatemala and Australia. Nov. 10 marks the anniversary of the murder of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa who, together with eight other Ogoni leaders were executed on 10 November 1995 for speaking out against the impact of Shell and other oil companies in the Niger Delta. The day also saw the release of a new report by Friends of the Earth International as they renew their commitment to the struggle for justice for the communities who suffer the consequences of extractive industries. The new report is entitled ‘Memory, Truth and Justice for Heroes in the Resistance against Mining Oil and Gas’ and exposes the murders of many human rights and environmental activists all over the world for defending their rights and natural resources.
Romel de Vera, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International, said “We condemn the fact that many governments favor and protect the interests of extractive industry corporations instead of the right of communities to land and resources. The list of community rights defenders, environmentalists and social activists killed in the course of their struggle against mining, oil and gas continues to grow even longer. On November 10, remembrance actions are held all over the world to commemorate their heroism and celebrate their lives and struggles, as well as to condemn the culture and cycle of death forced upon us by the extractives industry.”
(30)
For details:
Romel de Vera, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International, meldevera@gmail.com, or Tel ( +63 917 801 7097 )
Jaybee Garganera, Alyansa Tigil Mina, nc@alyansatigilmina.net, (+63 927 761.76.02)
Bernie Larin, PhilRights, philrights@philrights.org, (+63 927 424.15.51)
Gerry Arances, LRC-KsK, gerry.arances@lrcksk.org, (+63 917 536.84.08)
Sibuyan Island, Romblon – Environmental groups and residents of biodiversity-rich Sibuyan Island commemorate the death of anti-mining activist Armin Rios Marin during a tribute and mass for environmental justice at Brgy. Espana, San Fernando, yesterday.
Marin was murdered on October 3, 2007, by a security officer of nickel mining company Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corporation (SNPDC), while leading a protest against a survey and the approval of special permits to cut more than 70,000 trees.
Marin was trustee of Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE), former local councilor and staff of World Wildlife Fund (WWF); and lay leader of a local parish church.
“We are still standing united against the exploitation of our island; before Armin died he showed us how to stand firm to protect the future our children’s children. Justice for him is the revocation of Altai’s MPSA license,” said Domingo Marin, father of the murdered councilor.
“Mining in island ecosystems like Sibuyan and neighboring Tablas in Romblon is not sustainable as it endangers the livelihood and lives of communities, our voices should be heard – Romblon says NO,” said Msgr. Ernie Fetalino, chairman of Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM).
“Armin Rios Marin’s death is not isolated; this is the consequence of the insistence of large scale mining companies and the previous administration to exploit even the lives of communities – President Benigno Aquino III should consider the revocation of Alta’s mining permit,” lamented Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.
“Mining affected communities will always stand up for their rights because the issue at hand goes beyond economics, for them it is food security, disaster resiliency, intergenerational responsibility and carrying capacity of nature,” Garganera added.
SNPDC is the local partner of Australia-based Pelican Resources Ltd. and implementer of a Mineral Productions Sharing Agreement (MPSA) permit held by Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) for an estimated area of 1,500 hectares. APMC is a subsidiary of Canada-based Altai Resources Inc.
Local government units, environmental groups, the religious, students and teachers, farmers and fisher folks joined the celebration.
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. (30)
For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, (0927) 761.76.02 <nc@alyansatigilmina.net>
Farah Sevilla, ATM Policy&Advocacy Officer, (0915) 331.33.61 <policy@alyansatigilmina.net>
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