Group condemns killing of anti-mining leader

BAYOMBONG, Philippines - A leader of an anti-mining group fighting for the stoppage of mining operations in Compostela Valley was brutally killed Tuesday night by unidentified suspects.   The victim was identified as 39 year old Fernando Sarmiento, resident of Cabinuangan village, New Bataan, Compostela and secretary gneral of environmental group Panalipdan-New Bataan. He is known as one of the leaders fighting for the stoppage of PhilCo Mining Corporation’s planned exploration in the area.   PhilCo mining and other mining companies operating in the area has been blamed for the large destruction of the environment which has also affected the livelihood of the people.   Francis Morales, Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) spokesperson disclosed that Sarmiento suffered five gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.   In a statement, Morales said: "We condemn in the strongest term the brutal killing of Sarmiento."   The environmental group has blamed the military for Sarmiento’s killing due to his anti-mining advocacies.   “Sarmiento was interrogated by the elements of the Army’s 28th Infantry Batallion under Lt. Wendel Ariola for his active involvement in environmental campaigns. He was accused first as a rebel supporter then as a returnee which was even posted at the military's website." Morales the slain environmental activist was a victim of the military’s Oplan Bantay Laya 2 operation in the Compostela Valley, wherein activist leaders were first maligned then demonized before being killed.   “The Arroyo administration and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) should be held accountable for the killing of Sarmiento. This is an administration which aggressively promotes plunder of mineral resources and sell-out of our national patrimony to foreign firms at the expense of people's welfare and fragile ecosystems," added Morales.   Sarmiento is the first environmental activist in Southern Mindanao killed after the Arroyo administration formed the Investment Defense Force (IDF) and when the 10th ID chief Major General Leo Fojas declared that New Bataan is the rebel's center of operations.   According to Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, Sarmiento’s killing has raised the number of killed anti mining activists to 24 during the administration of the Arroyo government. – GMANews.TV