Saturday, March 04, 2006
B'laans brand anti-mining groups as enemies of dev't
KORONADAL CITY -- The indigenous people of Tampakan, South Cotabato called B'laans have decried the anti-mining campaign waged by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Justice, and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Marbel and other sectoral organizations.
In an interview, B'laan tribal leaders led by chieftain Celso Doc of Barangay Fula Bato, Tampakan, South Cotabato, coined those who are opposing the Tampakan Copper Project as enemies of progress and their people.
The project, managed by Sagittarius Mines Inc., is conducting exploration activities in the tri-boundaries of Tampakan, South Cotabato, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur.
"We have repeatedly told the anti-mining group that the Tampakan Copper Project is beneficial to the B'laan people," said Doc.
"Because of the project, B'laans as a society is now in the early stages of progress and development. Many of our men and women are now gainfully employed, most of our children are in school, and our sick are being given medical attention," he said.
Doc added, "We regard Sagittarius Mines and the Tampakan Copper Project as our 'flanek' (brothers) in development. We will be forced to call those outsiders who oppose our brothers and take away our hope for progress as enemies of the B'laan people in Tampakan area."
"Like our ancestors, we are ready to defend and die for the future of the next B'laan generation in our ancestral land" the tribal leader said.
Earlier, the CBCP issued a pastoral letter calling for the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and the stop of all mining projects in the country, including the Tampakan Copper Project.
The pastoral letter claims that mining destroys life and would lead to human rights abuses and economic depravation of affected communities.
The letter was issued supposedly in support of the call of various sectors, especially the indigenous peoples, to stop all mining projects of the government. (Press release)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(February 27, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
