Philippines Update

Philippines Update

25th June 2006

There have been severe repercussions from the Philippine government's decision to order a 30 day trial period of operation at Lafayette's Rapu Rapu mine, despite the advice of its own Commission set up to investigate two cyanide spills. Further criticism has come from the Church, environmental movement and other civil society groups, and there have been calls for Environment Secretary, Angelo Reyes (who took the controversial decision) to resign.

Meanwhile opposition is growing to the quarrying of "Tea Rose" marble at the culturally important site of Biak-na-Bato.