Region 2

Stop the Harassment and Killing of Environmental Activists in the Philippines!

johnacuna — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:10:37 +0000

We, members of MAC, Mines and Communities, an international network of
individuals and organizations committed to defending communities and the
environment against the greed of transnational mining corporations
(mining TNCs), condemn in the strongest possible terms the legal
harassment, political persecution, intimidation, abduction, and
assassination of environmental and community activists in the Philippines.

At least 23 of more than 860 victims of extra-judicial killing in the
Philippines have been environmental activists, and at least 18 of them

Nueva Vizcaya community, provincial government join hands versus mining company

Kailash — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:05:41 +0000

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya – Residents of Bgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya found another ally in their struggle against an Australian mining company which they accuse of committing numerous human rights violations in their community.

“The governor and the province of Nueva Vizcaya will not tolerate any human rights violations,” declared Atty. Galima of the Office of the Governor during a dialogue between the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government and the Didipio community and supporting NGOs.

Bakun folk stop mine accord

Kailash — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:00:20 +0000

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Bakun folk succeeded in stalling the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between community elders and Royalco Philippines, a requirement for the issuance of the community’s free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).

Aboard eight vegetable delivery trucks and some private vehicles, residents of Gambang, Bakun trooped to the regional and provincial offices of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Monday and Tuesday.

Anti large-scale mining battle of Nueva Vizcaya gets ardent back-up

Kailash — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:53:02 +0000

International and national and delegates from church, health, youth, peasant, scientists, indigenous peoples (IP) and environmental groups showed support to the anti-large-scale mining campaign of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya through a three-day International Solidarity Mission (ISM). The delegates of the ISM avow to gather strong support from other sectors and organizations, both here and abroad.

“We were surprised at the solid campaign of the people to defend their lands and rights by opposing large-scale mining in their communities.

Australian Mining Company Royalco Violates Indigenous Community’s Collective Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent

Kailash — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:00:32 +0000

Australian mining company Royalco Resources Limited has grossly violated the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the Kankanaey indigenous community in Gambang, Bakun municipality, Benguet province here in the Cordillera region, for manipulating the FPIC process for a 5,400-hectare (Exploration Permit Application No. CAR-0001) in the said community. The community has collectively declared and asserted that it is not allowing large mining in Gambang, but inspite of the manifested community opposition and rejection, Royalco continues to manipulate the FPIC and insist its exploration.

Hyundai keen on OceanaGold project

Kailash — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:59:26 +0000

MANILA, Philippines — Australian miner OceanaGold is in talks with South Korea’s Hyundai Group to help fund its $320-million Didipio gold and copper project in the Philippines, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Hyundai is among several investors OceanaGold is negotiating with since putting the mining project on hold in December due to funding difficulties, Horacio Ramos, director of the mines and geosciences bureau, told reporters.

He declined to name the other potential investors.

Ramos said in October that Hyundai was looking at investing in mining projects in the Ph

Mining firm backed group acquires water rights in Vizcaya town

Kailash — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:06:27 +0000

BAYOMBONG, Philippines – Water has become a highly precious resource. There are some places where a barrel of water costs more than a barrel of oil.

Video of the International Solidarity Mission

Kailash — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:10:01 +0000

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and Kodao productions are pleased to announced that the short version of the video of the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) can now be viewed.

Vizcaya town seeks TRO vs mining firm

Kailash — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:00:24 +0000

THE local government of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya on Thursday petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the Department of Environment and Natural Resources against allowing mining company Oceana Gold to operate in the ore-rich Didipio region.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Kasibu through Mayor Romeo Tayaban also asked the high court for a writ of injunction against Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes for continuing to implement the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) of Oceana Gold by issuing the necessary permits for its implementation.

Tayaban

Ground opposition to Royalco strengthened in the Cordillera

Kailash — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:36:49 +0000

GAMBANG, Bakun -The Kankanaey indigenous peoples of Bakun here in Benguet province are strengthening still their community efforts against Australian mining company Royalco Minerals, which has applied for exploration in some 5,000 hectares of the said peoples’ ancestral domain.