WAKE VISIT. Environment Secretary Regina Lopez visits the last day of Jimmy Saypan’s wake at the United Methodist Church in C.M. Recto, Tuesday. Saypan was the secretary general of Compostela Farmers’ Association who figured in the local community’s anti-mining campaign. (Earl O. Condeza/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez visited today the wake of Jimmy Saipan, a farmer and anti-mining activist, who was gunned down by unknown assailants last Oct. 10 at Barangay New Visayas in Montevista town, Compostela Valley.
Lopez said her office would assist Saipan’s family and colleagues to obtain justice for his death. “We will ensure that justice reigns,” Lopez vowed.
“He was killed. Why? Because he opposed mining. Because of that he was killed and that is not law and order, that’s criminal,” she said.
Lopez pointed out that what had happened to Saipan should not be allowed under the Duterte administration. “It will not happen [again], I really feel that social justice should be in Mindanao.”
Mindanao resources and responsible mining
Lopez attributed the existing conflict in Mindanao was due to prevailing social injustices, noting that people in Mindanao did not “enjoy the resources.”
“We gave permits, we allow mining, the people are suffering. It’s wrong,” she stressed. “The fisherfolks and farmers are suffering, for the few to earn money? It’s wrong, right?”
DENR had started auditing mining firms to check whether or not these firms are compliant to the agency’s existing laws. The audit, Lopez, said will determine if a mining firm will be suspended or not in the context of responsible mining.
To date, DENR has recommended 20 mining firms for suspension. On August 4, the DENR suspended Laver Mineral Development Corporation in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
At Saipan’s wake, Lopez said it is not responsible mining when ordinary people suffers.
“As long as farmers and fisher folks are suffering, that is not responsible mining,” she said. “If the rivers are silted, if the plants are silted, that is not responsible.”
“Responsible mining means there is no suffering. If the community is not happy, like Jimmy [Saipan] it means that there’s something wrong there,” she added.
Farmers’ caravan to the capital
The environment secretary also raised the issue of the Caravan of the National Minority groups to air their issues in the country’s capital.
“If there are IPs campaigning, it means that there is a problem that needs to be fixed,” she said, adding that the killings of Lumad must end.
She also said if everyone benefits from their lands, “Why are they in Manila and have put up camps away from their families?” (davaotoday.com)
