‘Threats’ vs anti-mining advocates condemned

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Militant groups in Iloilo have condemned alleged threats against activists, including a leader of an environmental group opposing mining on Panay and Guimaras Islands.

On Sept. 21, the 39th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, Ma. Geobelyn Lopez, secretary general of the Madi-as Ecological Movement, received a letter accusing her of being involved in the underground movement.

The two-page letter, delivered at her residence through postal mail, warned that criminal charges would be filed against her if she did not “cooperate.”

The letter was signed by certain Alvin M. Salvador, a name Lopez believed to be fictitious.

Salvador warned Lopez that they had witnesses linking her to the insurgency movement and that something bad might happen to her.

The letter also warned Lopez that the life of her family would be in danger if she continued to work with rebels.

Salvador said Lopez could end up like Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado.

Dominado and Arado were Iloilo activists who remain missing after they were waylaid and abducted on April 12, 2007.

Lopez has been among those at the forefront in the campaign against massive mining exploration and operation on Panay and Guimaras islands.

Last week, Lopez spoke at a conference attended by church and environmental advocates on the threats of mining in Panay and Guimaras.

Hope Hervilla, Bayan-Panay chairperson, on Tuesday said she also received threatening text messages and phone calls.

Hervilla noted the threats were received after the police and the military reported the alleged presence of communist assassination teams in the city.

“The nature and timing of these threats are highly suspicious and could be meant to intimidate us and condition more attacks against legal activists,” Hervilla said.

Hervilla noted that Fernando Baldomero, chairman of the partylist group Bayan Muna in Aklan and councilor of Lezo town, was gunned down in July last year after he received death threats.

“We certainly do not want to be victims of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances. The vilification of activists should stop,” she said.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Panay believed the threats were meant to intimidate activist groups against continuing their advocacies.