Tuesday, April 15, 2008 ZTE not given permit to mine Diwalwal By Carlo P. Mallo
THE government-run Philippine Mining Development Corp. has denied reports that the controversial China-based company ZTE Corp. has been granted a permit to mine the gold-rush area in Diwalwal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley.
According to Vicente Lao, chair of both the Mindanao Business Council and the Regional Development Council, the president of PMDC was in the city last week to check on reports that the ZTE Corporation has been granted a permit to operate in the Diwalwal area.
"Oliver Balatid, president of PMDC said he has been receiving numerous inquiries from investors and other personalities about the report that ZTE will be mining the area," Lao said.
Balatid, Lao said, had informed him that they have not received any application made by ZTE Corp. to mine the Diwalwal area.
"ZTE did not make any attempt to be involved in the Diwalwal area," Lao said.
The MBC chair also said that Balatid spoke with Diwalwal village chief Franco Tito regarding the matter.
Tito was quoted in a news report, saying the entry of ZTE Corp. in Diwalwal may trigger another bloodshed in the area. (CPM)
