Militarization Related to Mining Displaces Thousands in Surigao

BY AUBREY MAKILAN
Bulatlat

MANILA — Even before typhoon Mina caused destruction in the southern parts of the country, various groups in Surigao del Sur said that it was the Arroyo administration that brought the calamity “mina” or mining to their place.

A statement by human rights group Karapatan-Surigao del Sur and Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao said that the massive evacuation in 12 lumad communities starting November 1 was due to military operations intended to protect mining explorations around the AndapValley Complex, the second largest coal deposit in the country and where Chinese mining corporations have investments. Church, non-government organizations, and civic groups helping the lumads in the area believed that the military operations were conducted because they, together with the lumad and peasant communities in the municipalities of Tago, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga and San Miguel are actively opposing the mining operations.

They said military operations led by the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army started on Nov. 1, purportedly to conduct counter insurgency operations. About 500 soldiers with canons and armored personnel carriers were reportedly involved in the operations.

Military camps

Jose M. Zafra, a lawyer and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao Sur (TRIFPSS), Inc., said that soldiers conducting the military operations stayed in the houses of the lumads and occupied schools and teachers’ cottages causing fear in the community.

While Col. Jose Vizcarra, 401st Infantry Brigade commander, denied allegations that the soldiers stayed in civilian houses, Zafra said testimonies of affected residents proved otherwise. A lumad resident of Kabulohan who was present during the arrival of teams of soldiers from the 58th IBPA led by Lt. Alvin Nangkil said the soldiers occupied the Simowao Tribal Filipino Community School and the teachers’ cottage in Kabulohan despite resistance from the tribal folks.

The next day, Zafra said, tribal folks saw scattered teachers belongings, unwashed used plates, glasses, frying pan and kettle, and unfolded mats at the cottages occupied by the soldiers. At the community school, tribal folks also found that the plywood dividing the rooms was detached and used as sleeping bed.

Disruption of classes

Since the military operations, classes have been suspended in at least six lumad community schools in Sudon, Manluy-a, Simowao, Han-ayan, Lagangan, Diatagon, Lianga and Magkahunao, San Agustin, affecting 600 pupils. The community school is run by TRIFPSS, Inc. Classes in a lumad high school in Han-ayan was also been suspended due to massive military operations.

Karapatan-Surigao del Sur said that violations against the rights of the children were also committed by the military. The group said the military interrogated students asking them if they have seen armed men and whether their older brothers and sisters have joined the New People’s Army (NPA). The children, Karapatan said, were also accused of helping NPA guerillas.