Urgent Action - TVI press ahead with their Philippine plans by force

Published by MAC on 2004-03-23

Urgent Action - TVI press ahead with their Philippine plans by force

Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

23 March 2004

Four picketers were shot and wounded by company security forces during a protest to stop equipment of a Canadian mining company, TVI Pacific Inc. being moved on to a proposed open pit gold mining site - at Canatuan, Siocon Zamboanga del Norte on the Philippines island of Mindanao. The incident took place at approximately 5.00pm on 17 March 2004. The incident reveals the remaining high state of tension surrounding this project. The company is currently trying to rush ahead with its plans to mine despite sustained and determined opposition and its failure to gain the necessary social acceptance. Local people believe that despite the shooting the company will press ahead in the next few days unless stopped by protest.

This is a dangerous situation requiring urgent action. You can help. Please write and persuade others to do the same.

Take time to write to:-

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines

Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada

And

Clifford James CEO of TVI Pacific in Calgary Alberta

Letters of support or copies of your protests to inform the protestors can be sent to Timuay Jose Anoy Chairman Siocon Subanon Association c/o Mayor Cesar Soriano, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, and via email to dcmi@qmile.com.ph and comms@piplinks.org. (See below for further details)