Philippines: CHR to investigate mining firms in Surigao
The Commission on Human Rights has formed a team to investigate reported abuses by multinational mining companies in Mindanao.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has formed a team to investigate reported abuses committed by multinational mining companies operating in the twin provinces of Surigao.
CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales said the team will look into alleged irregularities in the acquisition of mine permits, displacements of the “lumad” and environmental destruction.
“The CHR will form a comprehensive monitoring team and investigate these claims of abuses by mining firms,” Rosales told the Inquirer during a visit to Mindanao.
She said the investigation would seek to uphold the rights of the lumad communities and address their grievances.
“I guarantee them that the CHR will look after them,” Rosales said.
The Tribal Coalition of Mindanao Inc. (Tricom) asked the Supreme Court to cancel all mining permits, licenses and agreements granted to five Chinese mining companies operating in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
Tricom claimed the mining companies used spurious tribal consent documents to secure licenses and permits.
Tribal communities were also uprooted and dislocated as a result of the mining activities, Tricom said, while the operation of open-pit mines threatened the environment and the health of the lumad communities.
Date: 5 June 2011
