Pacman’s help sought by anti-mining groups

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Banking on the world-renowned boxing champ’s closeness to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Jose “Lito" Atienza Jr., environmentalists called on Manny Pacquiao’s help to support their fight against destructive mining operations. In the midst of Pacquiao’s grand motorcade from the DENR after his stunning 12-round victory by TKO over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, 25 protestors from Mindoro island have sought the boxer’s intercession in stopping the proposed Mindoro Nickel Project of Norwegian company Intex Resources and in revoking its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The ECC was issued by the DENR last October 14.

The protestors are composed of indigenous peoples, priests, and other affected residents of Mindoro island. They have been staging a hunger strike in front of the DENR central office in Quezon City since November 17 to dramatize their opposition to the mining project. [See: Group launches hunger strike vs mining project in Mindoro] “The strength and determination of Manny Pacquiao to win his games is the same strength and determination we, Mangyans have in our struggle against mining," Librada Isidro, a Mangyan woman leader and one of the 25 hunger strikers, said. “We draw the same strength from him." The hunger strikers have questioned the order issued by Atienza, who merely ordered a 90-day suspension of the ECC as opposed to their calls for its outright revocation. Atienza suspended the mining project’s ECC on Wednesday, following protests from residents in the area. [See: DENR suspends clearance for mining project in Mindoro] It was not clear if Pacquiao responded positively to the Mindoro hunger strikers' appeal, since he has been sucked into a flurry of activities once he arrived on Philippine soil Friday morning [What vacation? Beehive of activity in store for Pacquiao]. - Floro Taguinod, GMAnews.TV