The island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay, Philippines, is hostage to RRPP, formerly owned by Lafayette Mining Ltd of Australia, now taken over by LG & KORES of South Korea and MSC of Malaysia. Victim of compromised laws & corrupt government officials, the residents can only brace themselves for more ecological disasters & their effects: health problems, loss of land & livelihood, & uncertain future, UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION TO CLOSE THE RAPU-RAPU MINE.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Man Called Python
Fact 1: On August 31, 2009 a man known as “Sawa” (pronounced /sah-HWA/) or “Python” was reported as having been pursued by the Philippine National Police Maritime Command for illegal fishing. He eluded the police by escaping upland to the barangay of Morocborocan but his equipment were confiscated. The report said his group was using a compressor. The fish they caught was 30 kgs.
Fact 2: A certain “Sawa” is known in Rapu-Rapu as a resident of sitio (a sub-unit of a village) Acal in the barangay (village) of Manano. He is also a member of the village council. The same person is known in the island as a pro-mining barangay kagawad (councilor).
Fact 3: The mining company that operates in Rapu-Rapu has completed its exploration of the Mananao area.
Fact 4: The mining company has been arguing that the decline in fish catch around the waters of Rapu-Rapu is due to illegal fishing.
Fact 5: Illegal fishing was rampant in the past decades but the fish catch never declined. Today, with Bantay Dagat (Sea Guards), illegal fishing is not as rampant.
Fact 6: The full scale operation of Lafayette Philippines, Inc. in Rapu-Rapu started in 2005. That was also the year when fish catch drastically declined.
Conclusion 1: From Facts 1 and 2 it can be concluded that the pro-mining kagawad is also an illegal fisher.
Conclusion 2: From Facts 2 and 3 it can be concluded that “Sawa” supports the mining operation being started in the Mananao area.
Conclusion 3: From Facts 3 and 4 it can be concluded that the mining company continues to dig for minerals in Rapu-Rapu because they do not acknowledge that the mining operation damages the fishing industry.
Conclusion 4: From the preceding it can be shown that miners and illegal fishers are in cahoots as they destroy the island and its surrounding waters.
Conclusion 5: From Facts 5 and 6 it can be concluded that the decline in fish catch cannot be attributed to illegal fishing but to the mining operation in Rapu-Rapu.
We, the Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance, oppose illegal fishing. We point out, nevertheless, that the impact of mining is many times more damaging. Hence, we insist that the mine should be closed!
Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance
September 2, 2009
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