Albay governor insist on Lafayette’s closure

by MS Arguelles

Legazpi City - Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol to suspend the mining operation of Lafayette Mining Corp. in Rapu-rapu following the firm’s move to go under voluntary administration.

Defend Patrimony demands permanent closure of Rapu-Rapu mine, accountability and responsibility from Arroyo, DENR, and Lafayette

Anti-mining liberalization alliance Defend Patrimony today pressed for the permanent closure of the Arroyo administration’s first foreign-owned showcase mining project in the Philippines owned by financially-troubled Lafayette Mining Limited (LML) of Australia.

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.

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.

Anti-mining elder arrested in Rapu-Rapu rally

But freed as townsfolk storm local jail, vow to stage larger protests

Two protesters, including a 69 year old community leader, were arrested and temporarily detained by local police during a rally in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay while calling for the closure of an Australian-owned mining project in the area, green watchdog Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) today reported.

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. 

Green groups challenge Lafayette, Arroyo administration: Open up mine site for investigation into Rapu-Rapu fish kills

Green watchdog Kalikasan Peoples’ Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) today urged government officials to take action on the recent fish kills reported in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay, near the site of the Arroyo administration’s flagship mining project by Australian-owned firm Lafayette Mining Limited, asserting that Lafayette should open up its mine site for inspection by an independent investigation.

Scientists raise alarm about new Rapu-Rapu fish kill reports

Causes for fish kill should be investigated by independent scientists; closure of Lafayette mining operations reiterated.

Scientists from the progressive scientists group AGHAM raised alarm over the reports of new fish kill reports in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay. The fish kills happened after heavy and continuous rainfall hit Rapu-Rapu starting from October 26th up to around 3 a.m. of October 28th, according to Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa Spokesperson Antonio Casitas based in Rapu-Rapu Island. They noted that a wide variety of fishes from eels to small fishes have been found dead and rotting ashore.