Do Not Deal With The Illegitimate Arroyo Government; Our National Patrimony Is Not For Sale!

Do not Deal with the Illegitimate Arroyo Government; Our National Patrimony is Not for Sale!

October 11, 2005

Press Statement - ENRAGED (Environment and Natural Resources Advocates for GMA's Expulsion)

We, mining-affected communities, indigenous groups, farmers, church people and environmental activits condemn the continuous sale of the country's mineral and natural resources by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government! The Filipino people remain steadfast in its opposition to the liberalization of the minerals industry and the unabated plunder and destruction of the resources at the expense of the people and the environment.

We will make Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her administration accountable for this, just as she will be made accountable for usurping the highest political position of the land.

This is a stern warning to all the executives of transnational mining corporations attending the 'Asia-Pacific Conference on Mining' on October 11-13, 2005 at the Makati Shangrila. They are dealing with a beleaguered government which will soon be ousted and tried by the people whose rights she has outrightly and willfuly violated.

We shall seek a review of all the Executive and Administrative Orders, and laws that have been passed by this illegitimate government, including the controversial reversal of the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Mining Act of 1995's unconstitutionality.

These laws which the ASEAN Federation of Mining Associations (AFMA), the House Speaker De Venecia and GMA's Administration are now brandishing have been causing untold destruction and sufferings on our people. The entry of large-scale mining projects in local communities has led to the dislocation, loss of livelihood and violation of human rights of thousands of indigenous people, peasants and small-scale miners. This year alone, five indigenous people, environmental activists and leaders opposing government-mining projects were killed.

The liberalization of the mining industry is one of the main reasons that the Arroyo administration has become extremely isolated. The political crisis is worsening and her capacity to govern has been diminishing. More and more people are uniting for her ouster. No amount of repressive laws can stifle the people's right to seek for a government that is just and representing their will.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be replaced soon and we shall immediately see that a government that truly earns the people's mandate will be installed. We will then see to it that justice will be served, contracts violating people's rights, national sovereignty and environmental laws will be revoked, and their proponents will be punished.

Scrap Mining Act of 1995.
Junk the Mining Revitalization Program!
Relieve the Country of the Bogus President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo!