Sibuyan, Romblon groups to DENR: Issue cease and desist order vs mining firm

Police officers and anti-mining groups clash last week as a  truck hauling ore is prevented from leaving the mining firm’s port in Sibuyan Island in San Fernando, Romblon. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ALYANSA TIGIL MINA) 

MANILA, Philippines — Pro-environment residents and Sibuyan Island in Romblon on Sunday appealed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a cease and desist order against Altai Philippines Mining Company (APMC).

“Hinihingi natin ang agarang aksyon ng DENR Secretary through MGB Regional Director to issue a cease and desist order. Ang mabagal na aksyon ng DENR ay magdudulot ng malawak na pinsala sa Isla ng Sibuyan at kapahamakan sa mga mamamayan,” said Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) coordinator Elizabeth Ibañez in a statement on Sunday.

(We are requesting the immediate action of the DENR Secretary through the MGB Regional Director to issue a cease and desist order. DENR’s slow action will cause widespread damage to Sibuyan Island and will be disastrous to its residents.)

Ibañez also decried the lack of capacity of the municipal and provincial officials to act on the people’s demands, saying that these officials stand in defense of the mining company and even act as their spokespersons.

 “Walang maaasahang alsyon mula sa mga pinuno ng bayan at probinsya dahil lagi nilang ipinapasa ang kilos o aksyon sa national agency dahil sila ay takot at walang kapasidad na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin sa mga mamamayan bagkus sila mismo ang tumatayong tagapagtanggol at tagapagsalita ng minahan,” she said.

(There is no reliable action from the leaders of the town and province because they always pass the responsibility to the national agency because they are afraid and do not have the capacity to fulfill their duty to the people, in fact they themselves serve as the defenders and spokespersons of the mining firm.)

Living Laudato Si Executive Director Rodne Galicha said that an urgent cease and desist order must be issued by the DENR to “prevent further damage to ecosystems and people.”

 “We urge Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga to take action and visit the island for her to see the island personally and talk to the people,” he said.

Alyansa Tigil Mina coordinator Jaybee Garganera, supported the calls, demanding the DENR to “spare no time in issuing a cease and desist order and justly heed and respect the will and sentiments of the Sibuyanons.”

APMC: Mining ops legal, licensed

Meanwhile, APMC, in a statement on Saturday denied allegations questioning the legality of its mining operations in Sibuyan, Romblon. 

“Our company has secured all the necessary permits and licenses to lawfully and peacefully conduct our business in the area,” it said.

“Our right to operate is as inviolable as the right to peaceful protest and assembly,” it added.

According to the APMC, it has already “reached out to the protesters to establish dialogue, and hopefully find common ground.”

“We hoped that we could assure them that our activities are lawful and compliant to government requirements, and fully aligned with global best practices. Unfortunately, these efforts did not bear fruit,” the mining company said.

APMC then assured the public that it adheres to the laws in its mining operations.

The mining company also lamented the altercation between its employees, law enforcement znd protesters, adding that they have already exhausted all efforts to help those who have been injured and to deescalate the situation.

The DENR on Saturday ordered the APMC to suspend  operations after it allegedly failed to show an Environmental Compliance Certificate and was also caught cutting trees without a permit.

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