The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607049902.html
By Charlie Lagasca
The Philippine Star 07/04/2006

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has sought the immediate dismantling of the facilities of small-scale mines in a remote mountain village here for fear of deadly substance contamination.

Engineer Jerrysal Mangaoang, MGB director for Cagayan Valley, said hundreds of illegally-dug up tunnels in the mineral-rich Barangay Didipio in Kasibu town here should be dismantled to prevent the villagers and their potable sources of water from further contamination with mercury.

“The illegal (small-scale) mining in Didipio should be stopped once and for all to prevent the loss of lives and contamination of rivers with deadly chemicals such as mercury,” he said.

He said dynamite and chemically-induced small-scale mining operation is not suited in Didipio with its type of mineral deposits, which he said can only be extracted by a large-scale mining operation that will not use deadly substances or chemicals and explosives.

Vice Gov. Jose Gambito, also the chairman of the provincial small-scale mining regulatory board, called on other concerned authorities as well as environmentalist to help educate small miners over the hazardous effects of their processes instead of forcing them to leave the mining site. (more…)

July 3, 2006

Bp. Deogracias Iniguez
Diocese of Kalookan

Dear Bishop Iniguez,

Your friends in the Alyansa Tigil Mina would like to extend their thanks to you for being one among the many who continue on the quest for accountability in government. Your filing of an impeachment case against the President is a case of “speaking truth to power” long since the province of the religious of any country.

While the support of the CBCP may be all the support you need, your friends in the anti-mining advocacy would like to remind you at this time, that the criticisms thrown your way – everything from the threat of investigations, to the calls for a greater separation of church and state – all ring hollow. These same people use religion as a cloak to hide their actions behind and as a shield to deflect criticism. They expect the same from all bishops – unflinching support and thus will turn on you the moment you engage in actions that run counter to their own.

The separation of Church and State is a tough subject, encapsulated by the phrase “render under Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Yet Caesar was a dictator and we call ourselves a democracy. And a democracy functions on participation and most of all, truth and accountability. No matter how our leaders pose, or what executive pronouncements they make, it is a citizen’s duty to remind them that they are not kings or absolute rulers.

The lack of truth and accountability has helped to drive this nation into crisis after crisis. It has sparked protests and noise, but rarely little in the way of discussion, or more importantly – investigation.

The current mining push is largely around the same “strategy.” The facts are hidden and people are kept ignorant of the real costs of mining. Part of that is done by letting the mining companies get away with any infraction, as Rapu-rapu has shown. And like Bishop Bastes then, you too have come under fire for desiring the truth instead of comfortable falsehoods.

We wish you the best of luck in this, and pray that, in due time, the President will be called to accounting. If she fears the truth, then it is hoped that she overcomes that fear, for the good of the country.

Yours truly,

Jaybee Garganera
National Coordinator
PhilDHRRA/ATM