Press release

July 23, 2010

Koronadal City – Indigenous Peoples belonging to the T’boli tribe in Brgy. Ned. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato decry resent government inaction of their almost two decade-long that they (will) be allowed to live peacefully inside their ancestral territories.

Datu Victor Danyan, Chairperson of the T’boli-Manubo Sdaf Claimants Organization (TAMASCO) speaking in the dialect said that “the government is hurting us more by not listening and by not respecting our decisions not to allow mining or any other so-called development projects in our ancestral land”.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)/Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc., Anti-Mining Campaign (PMP-AMC)

PRESS RELEASE

July 17, 2010

Manila – Various groups criticized the DENR today, for pushing for a compromise deal on the controversial Tampakan mining project in South Cotabato.  Sec. Ramon Paje was quoted yesterday in major dailies, that the “DENR will protect the investment” in the threatened mining project.  According to Paje, the marching order for him was to find a “win-win solution” to this issue.  The Province of South Cotabato formalized its passage of its Environment Code last June 28, putting a ban on open pit mining.   The local code has effectively put in limbo one of the largest mining project in the country.  It is expected that owners and operators of the mining project will question the legality of the local ordinance to the Supreme Court.