Lafayette No Show in Debate

Lafayette/RRMI-RRPI backed down in an anticipated public debate on the merits of their mining operation in Rapu-Rapu. Instead, it sent a mindless letter, with the usual double-speak, & then let its minions send the radio station equally mindless text messages to make up for its absence. So much for "wanting very much to see a continuing communication process."

Meanwhile, RRMI-RRPI continue/s to operate with the blessings of the present dispensation. So much for debates.


From the ATM email service
Thursday, 30 April, 2009 10:53 AM


The Lafayette mining company in Rapu-Rapu, Albay backed out from the debate organized by the Bicol Consortium for Development Initiatives, Inc. (BCDI) hosted by Radio Veritas Legazpi. Earlier, Ms. Meg Alcanatara, Program Director of “Basta Bicolano Aprubado,” informed Virgilio S. Perdigon, Jr., Spokes person of Save Rapu-Rapu-Alliance and External Vice-President of Pangataman Bikol, that Ms. Cecille Calleja, Vice-President for Corporate Affairs of the mining company, had accepted the invitation to the debate. Ms. Calleja asked for one condition, namely to make the mechanics clear to Mr. Perdigon, and everything was presumed ready for April 29, 2009 the date of the debate.

However, when Mr. Perdigon arrived at the venue minutes before the schedule, he was informed that Lafayette had backed out the day before through a letter which did not even contain the reason for the change of mind by the mining company. It stated in part:

We very much want to see a continuing communication process that will give an accurate and in-depth understanding of the mining industry. Unfortunately we will not be able to participate in the program. Rest assured, however, that we remain interested in opportunities that will promote genuine dialogue and effectively share factual information particularly about Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project since its resumption of operation last October 2008.

The letter was signed by Engr. Rogelio E. Corpus, President of Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. (RRMI) and dated April 27, 2009 .

The debate would have been precisely the occasion when the mining company could prove what it is saying: give an accurate and in-depth understanding of the mining industry and promote genuine dialogue and effectively share factual information particularly about Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project.

In lieu of the debate, the radio program went on with an interview with Mr. Perdigon who cited the reasons why his group does not oppose mining per se but only mining which is done in the wrong manner in the wrong place. Rapu-Rapu mining is one such case hence their opposition. He even informed the listeners that his group supports the alternative People’s Mining Policy being crafted by party list congressmen.

Text messages were sent to the program, both pro and con. Some text messages favoring the mining company dwelt on personal issues and off-topic matters, contrary to the guidelines set for the debate.

Mr. Perdigon closed the interview with a standing offer to the mining company for a debate anytime, provided it is organized by a third party.

In a subsequent letter to Ms. Alcantara, Mr. Perdigon stated, “So much about their remaining interest. They did not even accord you the courtesy of citing any reason for their last-minute back-out after initially accepting the invitation. Next time they say anything, virtually anything, we do not have to believe. This development only confirms our observation that they have neither the heart nor the mind to defend what they claim to believe in.”