The mining firm linked to the Gatchalian family insisted on having obtained the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Trouble still seethes in paradise—Sibuyan Island, that is despite the cease-and-desist order issued by the DENR, against the Altai Mining Corporation, which is alleged by the island folks, including Rodne Galicha y Rodiño, a Filipino environmentalist and human rights activist, to be owned by the political family of Gatchalian.
Galicha asserted Gatchalian’s links to the mining company in a radio interview last February 2, citing confirmation from the mining company’s officials.
“They’re not hearsay because narinig namin mismo sa bibig nila, ” Galicha said.
After weeks of barricades and protests, Sibuyan folks are having a breather, following DENR’s suspension order. The damages and long-term effects of Altai’s previous activities are slowly being exposed, so such a pause may not last long.
It must also be noted that the company merely suspended its operations and may resume soon, provided a go-signal from authorities gets issued.
The weeks-long tension notably erupted last week, when two residents got hurt during a brutal dispersal operation conducted by the police against the protesters.
“The DENR Order suspending the current operations of APMC is a clear victory for the people of Sibuyan. Without the firm resistance of the Sibuyan residents and environmental defenders, we doubt if the DENR will lift a finger on the violations of the APMC,” shared Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)’s national coordinator, Jaypee Garganera, said yesterday, February 13.
Dubbed the “Galapagos of Asia”, Sibuyan is an island located on its namesake, the Sibuyan Sea, spreading its crescent-shaped landmass across the eastern side of the Romblon archipelago. The island is blessed with rich flora and fauna. However, the natives of this island fear it will dramatically deteriorate due to the extensive mining operations being undertaken by mining companies such as Altai.
Senator Risa Hontiveros noted the need to halt all mining operations on the island, in a bid to preserve its paradisal beauty and ecological importance. “The DENR and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau need to study this ‘no-go zone’ proposal. Once my resolution is heard, the agencies will need to discuss and conclusively state whether or not extractive activities must be prohibited in Sibuyan,” she pointed out.
The Gatchalians have yet not issued a solid statement to refute claims suggesting their link to the Altai Mining firm, although it’s worth noting the company has denied the allegations against them.
“We, in ALTAI vehemently deny all malicious allegations hurled against us. WE ARE NOT ILLEGAL MINING OPERATORS. We will address each and every issue before the proper forum so we can focus on the real issues at hand, ” the company insisted in a statement.
Will the mystery of the Gatchalian’s link to Altai be soon resolved? Will the people of Sibuyan finally get a sound sleep at night, knowing the island is now safe from imminent destruction?
