Gov’t letting Lafayette ‘rape us some more,’ says bishop
First posted 08:18am (Mla time) June 19, 2006
By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=5428
AFTER his fact-finding commission’s recommendations were ignored, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes Sunday vowed more protest actions following the government’s decision to allow the Australian firm Lafayette Philippines Inc. to resume mining operations on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay province.
“We will continue with our protests,” Bastes said over the Church-run Radio Veritas, citing the big rally against the decision last June 15.
The outspoken bishop said that by allowing Lafayette to resume operations against the commission’s recommendations and loud protests, the government seemed to be telling the company to “rape us some more.”
“It’s like the country is being prostituted,” he said.
“I can’t understand the decision of the DENR to let them (Lafayette) have a test run,” Bastes said. “They will run without taking into consideration our recommendations (against) the serious effects (of mining operations) both to our people and the country. We are being fooled.”
Bastes told Veritas that he was “very disappointed” with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ decision to temporarily lift its suspension order on Lafayette following two illegal discharges of mining tailings in October last year.
The decision allowed Lafayette to resume operations for 30 days during which the DENR would determine if the remedial measures put up by the company would work.
Bastes said that before making the decision, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes had invited him to a meeting, but the bishop instead sent representatives, including members of the commission.
During the meeting, Bastes said experts from Lafayette agreed with the findings of the commission.
“Despite that, Secretary Reyes allowed Lafayette to continue, meaning the lobby of Lafayette is very strong, powerful, meaning they have more respect for foreigners than for our own people,” the bishop said.
Bastes, who headed the nine-man commission formed by Malacañang to look into the mining operations on Rapu-Rapu, had recommended that Lafayette’s environmental compliance certificate be cancelled; a ban be imposed on all mining operations on Rapu-Rapu, and the Mining Act of 1995 be reviewed.
Bastes said his optimism had been partly buoyed by expressions of support coming from key government officials.
He noted that Albay Representative Joey Salceda, one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic advisers, showed up at last week’s rally in Legazpi City and even delivered a speech “vehemently” against Lafayette.
“He is very mad at Lafayette and I’m happy that a top government official, a key supporter of President Arroyo, is showing support for our cause,” he told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.
Salceda said he was disgusted with the decision to allow Lafayette to operate. A revocation of Lafayette’s license would have been proportional punishment for the serious violation of environmental and mining laws, he said.
High school students in Legazpi City have joined protesters condemning the resumption of mining activities on Rapu-Rapu.
Students from Aquinas University, St. Agnes Academy and other Catholic schools joined the protest action organized by the “Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance” composed of representatives from the Church, academe, nongovernment organizations and militant groups from the Bicol region.
Estimates of the crowd ranged from 6,000 to 8,000.
With Ephraim Aguilar, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau
By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=5428
AFTER his fact-finding commission’s recommendations were ignored, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes Sunday vowed more protest actions following the government’s decision to allow the Australian firm Lafayette Philippines Inc. to resume mining operations on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay province.
“We will continue with our protests,” Bastes said over the Church-run Radio Veritas, citing the big rally against the decision last June 15.
The outspoken bishop said that by allowing Lafayette to resume operations against the commission’s recommendations and loud protests, the government seemed to be telling the company to “rape us some more.”
“It’s like the country is being prostituted,” he said.
“I can’t understand the decision of the DENR to let them (Lafayette) have a test run,” Bastes said. “They will run without taking into consideration our recommendations (against) the serious effects (of mining operations) both to our people and the country. We are being fooled.”
Bastes told Veritas that he was “very disappointed” with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ decision to temporarily lift its suspension order on Lafayette following two illegal discharges of mining tailings in October last year.
The decision allowed Lafayette to resume operations for 30 days during which the DENR would determine if the remedial measures put up by the company would work.
Bastes said that before making the decision, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes had invited him to a meeting, but the bishop instead sent representatives, including members of the commission.
During the meeting, Bastes said experts from Lafayette agreed with the findings of the commission.
“Despite that, Secretary Reyes allowed Lafayette to continue, meaning the lobby of Lafayette is very strong, powerful, meaning they have more respect for foreigners than for our own people,” the bishop said.
Bastes, who headed the nine-man commission formed by Malacañang to look into the mining operations on Rapu-Rapu, had recommended that Lafayette’s environmental compliance certificate be cancelled; a ban be imposed on all mining operations on Rapu-Rapu, and the Mining Act of 1995 be reviewed.
Bastes said his optimism had been partly buoyed by expressions of support coming from key government officials.
He noted that Albay Representative Joey Salceda, one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic advisers, showed up at last week’s rally in Legazpi City and even delivered a speech “vehemently” against Lafayette.
“He is very mad at Lafayette and I’m happy that a top government official, a key supporter of President Arroyo, is showing support for our cause,” he told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.
Salceda said he was disgusted with the decision to allow Lafayette to operate. A revocation of Lafayette’s license would have been proportional punishment for the serious violation of environmental and mining laws, he said.
High school students in Legazpi City have joined protesters condemning the resumption of mining activities on Rapu-Rapu.
Students from Aquinas University, St. Agnes Academy and other Catholic schools joined the protest action organized by the “Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance” composed of representatives from the Church, academe, nongovernment organizations and militant groups from the Bicol region.
Estimates of the crowd ranged from 6,000 to 8,000.
With Ephraim Aguilar, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau
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