GENERAL SANTOS CITY Danny Javiers new job as strategist for Xtrata Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI) is ridiculous and desperate, anti-mining groups in the region said.
Javier is one of the members of the famous trio Apo Hiking Society and has called himself an environmentalist at heart. He was earlier quoted as saying that he will not allow the company to proceed if even only one voice in the community disagrees with the project.
“Hiring Javier is a desperate move by Xtrata-SMI to sanitize its image in the face of widespread community opposition. said Erwin Quinones of the Legal Rights and Natural resources Center Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils).
The Catholic Church, who has been resolute in its opposition to the project has likewise laughed off Xtrata-SMIs latest publicity stunt. Is this their way of showing us that they are responsible? asked Fr. Romeo Catedral of the Social Action Center.
Getting Javier will not erase the apprehension and anxiety felt by indigenous and rural communities, much more stifle opposition Catedral added.
Sr. Susan Bolanio, OND said that, by working as a strategist for a very environmentally destructive mining industry, Javier contradicts himself. Bolanio is the spokesperson of Socsksargen Can (Climate Action Now), an alliance of several organizations opposing the Xtrata-SMI Tampakan project and other extractive industries.
We would like to send a message to Danny Javier, who is known for his being environmentalist through his songs, but also as a socially-aware artist through his involvement in social issues, that his involvement in the SMI operation is a gross contradiction of what he has been espousing said Quinones.
Quinones challenged Javier to hear the voices of the Blaans of Columbio belonging to La Bugal (unbreakable) Organization, whose thousands of members for the past decade have risked and lost their lives opposing the project.
We invite Javier to also listen to the Blaans in the remote villages of Bong Mal, Brgy. Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur who have recently come out in the open to denounce Xtrata-SMIs lies and deceit and vowed to oppose the companys presence in their area said Quinones.
For reference:
Erwin B. Quinones
Campaigns Paralegal
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center
Kasama sa Kalikasan
Friends of the Earth Philippines
(LRC/KsK-FoE Phils)
Mobile telephone 0907-841-5331
Telefax: 63 82 221 3380
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