'Sendong tragedy justifies NPA attacks on mining firms'--urban poor group

PRESS RELEASE l 24 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Philippines--An urban poor group has outrightly blamed the Aquino administrations' pro-large-scale mining policies as behind the death of more than a thousand urban poor from Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan city after Tropical storm Sendong washed away urban poor communities along river bank.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says in a statement: "The death of more than a thousand Sendong victims only justifies the recent attacks initiated by the Communist Party if the Philippines' armed wing, the New People's Army, on big mining companies in Mindanao,"

"Said bombings have highlighted the government's abuse of Mother Nature, more than the revolutionary tax issue that the reactionary hails. The NPA's actions have earned public support back then, and would continue to do so in the aftermath of Sendong," she adds.

In recent years, big mining firms have destroyed hectares of watersheds in Mindanao and have brought down uncounted number of trees, according to the group. Television footages reveal tons of logs that are washed away to riverbanks in the aftermath of Sendong' havoc.

"We cry for justice for the death of our brothers who died innocently because of the Aquino administration's greed for profit and penchant for neo-liberal policies at the expense of its citizens. We call on the administration to stop all mining activities operating in the country."

Aquino, pro-large-scale mining
The group slams President Aquino's defense of large-scale mining that operates in the country. Between large scale mining and small scale mining, President Benigno Aquino III is batting for the former, Arellano says.

Aquino bared his preference in a media interview in Palo, Leyte in October where he addressed the 67th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration.

The solution really is large-scale mining that has the capability to correct the damage to the environment but would avoid damage to begin with, Aquino added.

Aquino, though, said he has ordered a panel composed of the country’s top environment officials to craft a mining policy that will ensure the environment is protected while at the same time maximize the industry’s benefits for the country.

Mining attacks
Recently, big foreign-owned mining firms in Mindanao were raided by members of the NPA after the CPP has called on to dismantle “environmentally-exploitative and destructive large-scale mining companies” operating in Caraga Region.

This forced the government to intensify its military surveillance and protection on major mining firms, as the government fears of the attacks to cause jitters in the mining industry and send the message that investments might not be safe without tight security.

"We call for the immediate pull-out of military forces that are protecting these big mining firms. It will only be a matter of conscience if they continue to serve the interest of the those who have caused the death of thousands of Filipinos," Arellano says.

Call for support
The group also calls for assistance for its members and other flash flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City, the city that has been hit worst by the tropical storm, as well as in other areas that have been havocked by Sendong.

Kadamay Cagayan de Oro chapter has called on for the relief of urban poor who celebrate Christmas homeless and foodless, as well as their rehabilitation of the communities in the long run.

"We welcome the overwhelming support of the Filipino people to the victims of Sendong, as it is high time to share our blessings this Christmas," Arellano says. ###