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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]