Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — Residents of Sibuyan Island in Romblon, who have been forming a human barricade since Sunday to demand for the suspension of mining in the area, blocked the entry of a truck with nickel ore on Wednesday.
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Environmental advocacy coalition Alyansa Tigil Mina told CNN Philippines that the human barricade was in front of a port built by Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) in Brgy. España.
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Residents said tension rose as police officers with batons and protective equipment were deployed to the port to intimidate them.
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“We are also aghast that the police were helping the truck that was transporting nickel ore,” said Elizabeth Ibañez, coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining.
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“We explained to the police last night that we are protesting the illegal operations of Altai Philippines Mining [Corporation] since they do not have the necessary permits for their activities. Why then is the police taking the side of the mining company?” she added.
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Rodne Galicha, executive director of the environmental group Living Laudatu Si, said the residents “will continue to stand their ground.”
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“We will continue our barricade because the mining company has no permits and social license,” he added.
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READ: Sibuyan Island residents put up barricade vs company’s ‘illegal’ mining activities
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According to APMC’s project description for scoping, the company is set to extract nickel for 25 years in San Fernando, Romblon. It will also build waste dump, haul roads and access roads, settling ponds, and a drainage system, among others.
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APMC claimed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) allowed it to export 50,000 metric tons of nickel ore to be tested overseas.
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But in a tweet, Galicha alleged that the company presented a “tampered” Mineral Ore Export Permit to the local government. He added that it does not show the estimated value of the ore they are selling to Transmine Far East Ltd. based in Hong Kong.
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Ibañez on Sunday said the residents want to see the company’s barangay clearance, municipal business permit, foreshore lease contract with DENR, and a permit to construct a private port from the Philippine Ports Authority.
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CNN Philippines is waiting for the DENR’s comment as of publishing.
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In 2011, the DENR canceled APMC’s mineral production sharing agreement to explore resources on Sibuyan Island based on a complaint by then San Fernando Mayor Dindo Rios.
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Rios said the mining activities would endanger Sibuyan Island’s rivers and streams.
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