Killers of mining critics remain at large

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government should redouble efforts to address threats against environmental advocates especially now that it has issued a new order on mining, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, July 18.

In a statement, Human Rights Watch cited 3 cases since October 2011 where critics of mining and energy projects in the country have been killed.

Margarito J. Cabal, 47, an organizer of a group opposing a hydroelectric dam in Bukidnon province, was gunned down on May 9, 2012. Relatives alleged that the police have not investigated the killing, and no suspect has been arrested, Human Rights Watch said.

Last March 5, a leader of a paramilitary group with a dozen of his men allegedly shot dead Jimmy Liguyon, a village chief in Dao, San Fernando town, Bukidnon, in front of family members.

Relatives said he was killed because he refused to sign an agreement needed to secure a mining investment, and that he had been under military surveillance, the statement added.

The main suspect, the leader of a group called the New Indigenous People’s Army for Reforms who’s still at large, faces a warrant for his arrest.

The group added that local paramilitary group Bagani (“tribal warriors”), reportedly under military control, was allegedly responsible for the fatal shooting of Italian priest Father Fausto Tentorio, 59, in Arakan, North Cotabato province on Oct 17, 2011.

Fr. Tentorio was a long-time advocate of tribal rights and opposed mining in the area. No one has been arrested for the killing, although the National Bureau of Investigation has recommended charges against four suspects.

“President Aquino has enacted decrees to encourage mining investment in the Philippines but has done little to stop attacks on environmental advocates,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “He should recognize that respecting human rights is crucial for economic development.”

On July 2, 2012, President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order No. 79, which aims to institutionalize reforms in the Philippine mining sector by “providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining.”

“While mining and other environmentally sensitive projects promise economic benefits for Filipinos, they should not come at the expense of basic rights, particularly the lives of environmental advocates,” Pearson said. “The Aquino government should ensure that those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice.” – Rappler.com

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