A Homonhon priest urged the government to restore the “sacredness” of their island that has long been “desecrated” by big mining, in an impassioned appeal as the Catholic Church marks its 500th year in the Philippines.

“I call on our government leaders, from the mayor of Guiuan up to President Duterte, please stop desecrating our island,” said Homonhon priest Father Christian Ofilan in a speech after a Mass on Wednesday, March 17, to celebrate the quincentennial of Christianity in the country.

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The pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish noted that Homonhon ancestors treated the island as a sacred place. “But what have we done? We have desecrated it. We destroyed this island,” Ofilan said. “We lost its sacredness because of our irresponsibility.”

Ofilan said the 500th year celebration of Christianity in the Philippines is a reminder to be good stewards of God’s creation.

“Let us help each other to protect our sacred island. Let us restore its sacredness just like what it has been when the missionaries went here,” said Ofilan.

The Mass was also attended by Poland Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz, visitors from Spain and Portugal, and local government officials.

The Mass marked the jubilee year of the landing of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish crew on the island of Homonhon.

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The island of Homonhon was known for its cast deposits of nickel and chromite, and have been struggling with the effects of open-pit mining operations.

In April 2020, Homonhon residents blocked the entry of a Panama-registered vessel after attempting to export chromite ore to China despite quarantine restrictions. – Rappler.com

Jezreel Ines is a Rappler intern. He is a third year journalism student at the University of the Philippines Diliman.