24 December 2009

Tree for Justice set up to commemorate 1st year death aniv of slain environmental activist

Davao City ---  A Tree for Justice was set up yesterday (December 23) to commemorate the 1st death anniversary of anti-mining activist Fernando Sarmiento led by Panalipdan Southern Mindanao.

Sarmiento, 39 years old, Secretary General of Panalipdan – New Bataan was killed by unidentified men last year at Purok 1 Brgy. Cabinuangan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province. He suffered from five gunshot wounds which led to his death.

Sarmiento led the campaign against large scale foreign mining in New Bataan specifically that of PHILCO Mining. Prior to his death, Sarmiento was interrogated by the elements of 28th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army (IBPA) under the command of Lt. Wendel Ariola for his involvement in environmental campaigns. He was accused as a rebel supporter and the military posted on its website his name tagging him as a rebel surrenderee.

“Environmental rights defenders like anti-mining defender Sarmiento have not been spared from the brutal attacks of this government. This government has instead considered us as its enemies that should be eliminated as we continue to oppose the plunder and destruction of our resources by foreign capitalist logging and mining firms," said Francis Morales, convener and spokesperson for PANALIPDAN - SMR  in a statement.

Morales said that the Philippines, having been cited as the most dangerous place for journalists, may well be considered a most dangerous place for those defending the environment against the threats of mining, dams and other destructive projects.

He said the dual attack of development aggression and militarization are clear threats to environmental rights defenders.

Morales said that in the midst of the influx of mining applications in the region and in the rest of Mindanao, the state of human rights is “going to worsen more than ever.”

According to PANALIPDAN, investments in coal mining in the region are on an uptrend as Titan Exploration and Development and Corporation (TEDCO) was recently awarded by Sec. Angelo Reyes’ Department of Energy (DOE) new coal operations contracts (COCs) covering the municipalities of Manay and Tarragona in Davao Oriental. TEDCO’s coal investments in Davao Oriental and Zamboanga are said to reach P 300 million.

Meanwhile, the Pujada Nickel Bay Project of Australia-based BHP Billiton, the world’s largest miner, is expected to go on full operations as tensions between BHP and its local partner AMCOR have been settled.  The $ 1.5 B nickel project covers San Isidro, Governor Generoso and Mati Davao Oriental.

With this, Morales said the province is expecting increased military troop deployment and the worsening of human rights violations, particularly against opposing communities and leaders.

For reference: FRANCIS MORALES, Convener
0939-4818848