Activists say threats show new tact vs mining foes: Tag them as rebels

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Militant groups in Iloilo are condemning what they said was a new tact by mining proponents to tag critics as communist rebels.

The groups said the practice of tagging mining critics as rebels became apparent when Ma. Geobelyn Lopez, head of the environmentalist group Madia-as Ecological Movement (MEM), received a letter accusing her of involvement in the communist underground movement.

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

The letter was signed by a certain Alvin M. Salvador, a name that Lopez said could be fictitious.

The letter warned Lopez that there were witnesses who would testify to her involvement in the communist insurgency and 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 abducted by armed men believed to be government agents on April 12, 2007.

Lopez is among those at the forefront in the campaign against mining on Panay and Guimaras islands.

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

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

Hervilla said she received threats after police and military reported the alleged presence of communist assassins in the city. “The nature and timing of these threats are highly suspicious,” Hevilla said.

Hervilla pointed to the case of Fernando Baldomero as an example. Baldomero, chair of the partylist group Bayan Muna in Aklan and councilor of Lezo town, was gunned down in July last year after receiving death threats.

“We certainly do not want to be victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The vilification of activists should stop,” said Hervilla.