Philippines Update
Published by MAC on 2006-04-28
Philippines Update
28th April 2006
The southern island of Mindanao continues to feature heavily in plans for mining in the Philippines, and in the opposition to it. The legal battle of TVI's mine at Canatuan continues with the local Subanon filing a petition to cancel the mining permit, which TVI are resisting. The church has expressed its concern over the almost inevitable militarisation that the Tamapkan mine will bring to the local community. Anti-mining advocates in Mindanao have also come together from across the island into a broad alliance, and issued a statement for an alternative mining policy. Nationally, the legal battle continues as DESAMA, with the support of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, have filed a motion urging the Philippines Supreme Court to set aside its recent decision which upheld the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995. Finally the controversy over Lafayette continues as evidence is presented to the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission of heavy metals in the bodies of local people.