NPAs need not raise mining concerns with violence – Malacañang

Communist rebels need not resort to violence as a way of saying that mining companies are damaging the environment and not paying their dues to the proper dues to the people affected by mining operations, Malacañang said Thursday. “All things being equal, you don’t have to resort to violence to address those concerns. Pwede naman i-complain sa pamahalaan," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing. He said there are environmental advocates in the Aquino administration who can address the concern or complaints of affected groups or residents. “Si [Environment] Secretary [Ramon] Paje, po, nandoon, si Presidential Adviser Neric Acosta… [they] are known to be environmentalists and they are advocates," he said. “We have a strong environmental group here in the government and that could have been raised with us and we would have immediately investigated kung may mga violations," he added. Communist rebels on Monday attacked three mining firms in Surigao del Norte in a span of three hours, resulting in a number of damaged equipment, the military said. Guerrilla Front 16, 30 and 21 of the New People Army (NPA) destroyed 10 dump trucks, eight backhoes, two barges and a guesthouse when they attacked the mine facilities, said Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division. The rebels raised these demands:

1. Mining firms must settle royalty fees and other benefits intended for rightful indigenous people affected by mining activities
2. Address environmental woes brought by mining in the area as soon as possible
3. Stop all mining operations and construction of the nickel ore processing plants
4. Address local mine workers’ complaints of low wages.

Attacked were the Taganito Mining Corp., it’s sister company Thpal Mining, and 4K Mining — all in Claver. In a statement on Tuesday, NPA spokespersons ‘Ka Edroy’ and ‘Ka Maria Malaya’ said that those four issues they have raised must be addressed for the attacks to stop. The warning covers not only the sites that were attacked, but all mining and logging companies in the Caraga region, Ka Edroy. Japanese and Australian investors have raised concerns over the security of mining operations in the Philippines despite. “We understand their concerns because we’re just as disappointed of what happened there. So we’ve taken corrective actions. We are doing a threat assessment and we’ll facilitative if necessary upon the recommendation of the DND, the AFP and the PNP," Lacierda said. Asked about the actions government has so far implemented, the Palace official said they are leaving the matter to the military and the police and that security officials have not yet informed the Palace about recent security adjustments. Following the attacks, Aquino ordered a nationwide threat assessment and a review of operational procedures to prevent such incidents from happening again. National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome had relieved the head of the Surigao del Norte police Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Talento, public safety battalion commander Superintendent Rudy Cuyop, and Claver chief of police Senior Inspector Diomedes Cuadra. Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban has ordered the relief Brigade commander Col. Rodrigo Diapana and his deputy and concurrent Task Force Stingrer commander Col. Cresente Maligmat. — VS, GMA News