Saturday, August 28, 2004 Tribesmen protest mining operations
MIDSALIP, Zamboanga del Sur -- Subanen tribesmen in Midsalip protested the impending destruction of their ancestral domain in the mountains of Midsalip and its surrounding areas.
"This land is sacred and we will protect it the way our forefathers did," they said.
"The destruction brought about by mining operations in some parts of Zamboanga Peninsula have taught us a lesson and we will not allow that the same thing, will happen to us," said Wilma Etero, leader of the Turmaud Pusaka Subanen dig Midsalip or TUPUSUMI.
She cited the mercury contamination in Sibutad town, where Philex Mining Corporation is operating. Its operations displaced thousands of Subanen Highlanders.
Etero revealed that at least two individuals who are owners of Geotechnics and Mines Incorporated have already applied to explore and mine the resource-rich mountains of Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur.
She identified them as a certain Victor Yu and Engr. Frank Real. Their applications are now with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Etero added.
The mining applicants are expected to conduct mining operations in at least five barangays of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.
These are the Barangays of Dumilic Sigapud, Kumarum, Kabaloran and Guinabot, all in the said town.
Enero said this was all done despite the fact that the said barangays have been declared as watershed areas by the DENR.
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