An editorial written by a right-wing, ecology-be-damned, human-rights-be-damned bigot/idiot (or both). We don't condone violence for any cause or find the NPA attacks on mining companies a source of joy. It is for this same reason that we oppose the further militarization of mining communities. More than investment promises or economic projections, this government should be protecting the people and the environment foremost.
In this day and age of global warming and sustainable development, ultra-liberal-capitalist dinosaurs still refuse to go extinct. And still have hides thick enough to impose their thinking as the proper way of life for our country today.
In the issue of mining, when will the government finally take side with the people?
People's Journal Online
Editorial
February 07, 2008 07:46 PM Thursday
LIKE other developing and oil-importing countries, the Philippines is still plagued by hunger and poverty but hopes to brighten its economic outlook by fully exploiting its vast resources of alternative energy and minerals.
After years of delay, full-scale development of the mineral resources is now possible with the emergence of well-meaning and responsible mining industry leaders who want the government to protect the country’s legal mining operators.
For the benefit of the legitimate mining companies, government authorities, notably members of the National Police, should go after illegal miners, who rob the state of hundreds of millions of pesos in unpaid taxes.
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, led by Philip Romualdez, also wants the PNP and the military to secure mines threatened by hired goons, other lawless elements, and even rogue policemen and military personnel.
In a recent meeting with Romualdez and other Chamber of Mines officials, PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. said the police and the military are willing to train civilians who will secure mine sites from lawless elements.
The PNP chief also welcomed a suggestion by the chamber to create a special task force in critical mining areas in Central Luzon, Bicol, Central Mindanao, and Southern Mindanao that will enforce mining law without fear or favor.
Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon, on the other hand, said the Army will train “special civilian auxiliary” forces for deployment in mining compounds. They will be given firearms and ammunition but will be paid by the private firms.
With the resource development boom, the country expects more mining projects to be fully operational during the next few years.
We cannot overemphasize the need to develop our vast mineral resources considering the inability of the government to raise enough revenues and the acute shortage of employment opportunities in the country.
Thus, the AFP and the PNP are on the right path in heeding the appeal of the Chamber of Mines to help in securing the country’s mine sites to ensure that economic activities will continue and remain unhampered.
This is good for the country and the Filipino people!
A Reader Comments:
From: SGT. SYDOZ
Email: I WISH I CAN EMAIL MRS. ARROYO
February 7, 2008 09:44am, Australia
The existence of “Republic Act 7942 popularly called The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 “ created by a former president to protect his own vested self-interest may hamper PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. to protect our own so-called Filipino miners. I wonder who are these Filipino miners, Chief Editor? Is PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. protecting the other self-glorifying Filipino miners in that sense? This editorial is relative to my recent message in your editorial here http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-01-27&sec=9&aid=47351 and to the “Protecting Miners” earlier (which you can search in your previous online publication). I still do not think that Republic Act 7942 is good for the country and the Filipino people! And for as long as this is “active”, believe me, Sir Avelino Razon Jr. and his battalion may end up owning a “mining corporate” that we can call “Filipino miners”.
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