Green group slams ‘guns for hire’ by mining firms

Calls on Church, legislators to probe hiring and use of AFP’s military troops to protect mining operations

An environment group today slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by acting as ‘guns for hire’ by mining firms, after media reports today disclosed that the AFP’s 7th Infantry Division has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to secure and guard 3,700 hectares controlled by DMCI Mining Corp. (DMCIMC) in Sta. Cruz, Zambales following reassurances by the AFP’s Chief of Staff that the Army would help provide security for mining firms.

Mining policies a bane for RP’s green courts

The creation of 117 environmental courts is a positive development which may be unforunately reversed by the very actions of the Arroyo administration. We are thankful that the judiciary and Chief Justice Puno have gone towards the step of creating ‘green’ courts. But the fundamental source of problems is the policy of plunder and environmental destruction being promoted by the executive department under the Arroyo administration.

Tribal folks barricade nearing clash with mining firm

Close to a hundred tribal folk are preparing for a head-on confrontation with an allegedly armed pro-mining mob and heavy drilling equipment in the municipality of Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya, Northern Luzon, this afternoon, an environmental group reported.

Camp-out vs GMA’s flagship mining project kicks off

Lafayette mine should be closed, affected communities compensated – Kalikasan PNE

Amidst reports of financial woes plaguing the Arroyo administration’s flagship mining project in Rapu-Rapu island, local residents are launching a week-long rally and camp-out in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol to call for the permanent closure of Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Limited’s open-pit mine and compensation for mining-affected communities, green watchdog Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) announced today.

Protest against Lafayette mining heats up

Albay board to review memorandum of agreement between Australian firm and provincial govtProtest against Lafayette mining heats up
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent-Manila Times

Legazpi City: Finally the provincial government of Albay agreed to reinvestigate the fish kill incident off the shores of Rapu-Rapu a month ago and finally settle the issue.

The move came following the appeal made by the villagers from Rapu-Rapu when they stormed the session hall of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Albay on Wednesday.

GMA turns “environmentalist” at Asean, but remains mining promoter back home

Philippine environmentalists today scored President Gloria Arroyo for purporting to press for environmental issues at the upcoming Asean summit while remaining supportive of ecologically destructive mining projects back home.

2 mining activists detained

By Jaymee T. Gamil, Inquirer

Legazpi City - Two protesters were detained and interrogated for an hour by policemen at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday during the dispersal of a 200-strong rally in front of the municipal hall in Barangay Poblacion of the island-municipality of Rapu-Rapu.

Bicol townsfolk storm jail to free 2 colleagues

By Artemio Dumlao
The Philippine Star

The town jail in Poblacion Rapu-Rapu in Albay was reportedly stormed by at least 400 townsfolk on Wednesday freeing two of their colleagues earlier nabbed in an anti-mining demonstration.

Rapu-Rapu folk, green groups ask provincial gov’t, Gov. Salceda

Bicol folk and green groups outraged over the recent fish kills near the Lafayette mine site in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay united to press the Albay provincial government for an urgent probe involving the communities affected by the open-pit mining project by the Australian-owned firm. 

Over a thousand fisherfolk and local people troop to Rapu-rapu Municipal Hall, demand immediate economic relief, compensation and closure of Lafayette

With no livelihood and food to eat, around one thousand three hundred residents of Rapu-rapu island are holding a protest action in front of the Municipal Hall three days after the fish kill incident in the area.

“The Arroyo government and the municipal government are responsible for the entry of Lafayette mining operation in our communities. They should be held responsible and accountable along with Lafayette for the recent fish kill that happened in our island. This fish kill has devastative impacts on the people of Rapu-Rapu, who are reliant on the sea and its bounty for daily sustenance,” says Antonio Casitas of Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa, a community-based grassroots organization calling for the pull-out of Lafayette in Rapu-Rapu island.