Green Group Slams ‘Guns for Hire’ by Mining Firms

Calls on Church, legislators to probe hiring and use of AFP’s military troops to protect mining operations

An environment group today slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by acting as ‘guns for hire’ by mining firms, after media reports today disclosed that the AFP’s 7th Infantry Division has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to secure and guard 3,700 hectares controlled by DMCI Mining Corp. (DMCIMC) in Sta. Cruz, Zambales following reassurances by the AFP’s Chief of Staff that the Army would help provide security for mining firms.

“The AFP’s employment as ‘guns for hire’ for mining firms is a dangerous precedent. This should be immediately probed by Congress and stopped right in its tracks,” said Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator of Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE).

“The Army should not be acting as a mercenary guard for mining firms, which have all the capacities to hire private security personnel to guard their premises. AFP Chief-of-Staff Hermogenes Esperon should be subjected to an investigation regarding his statement last week offering to subsidize the security needs of mining firms,” Bautista said.

“Take note that many of these mining projects nationwide lack community consent and are forcing their operations despite grassroots opposition such as barricades and protest actions. It is dangerous to bring in the Army to guard mining projects being opposed by the people. The use of AFP troops as guards will only result in more human rights violations against communities, civilians, and organizations opposed to mining operations,” Bautista explained.

Bautista warned that this would encourage more units of the AFP to enter in MOAs with other foreign and local mining firms. The presence of military detachments and police checkpoints has been noted by Kalikasan PNE in mining-affected areas, including Lafayette in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay, Filminera in Masbate island, Marcopper in Marinduque island, TVI in Zamboanga del Norte, Xstrata in South Cotabato, NMRDC in Mt. Diwalwal, Rio Tuba in Palawan, Crew Minerals in Mindoro Oriental, Climax Arimco/Oxiana in Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Batangas, Zambales, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

“Nearly half a million hectares of land have been approved for large scale mining operations since the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) and the passage of the Minerals Action Plan (MAP) under Pres. Arroyo’s Executive Order 270. Does this mean that it is perfectly alright for the military to enter these lands at the beck and call of mining firms?” Bautista asked.

Bautista urged the Catholic Church and human rights advocates to speak out against the employment of army troops by mining firms.

“We call on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the official organization of the Filipino Catholic episcopacy, to take action and concern against the use of military troops to protect ecolocigally-destructive mining operations. This use of military troops to protect mining firms must not be tolerated by all stewards of creation,” Bautista said. On 29 January 2006, the CBCP released an official Statement on Mining Concerns recognizing that an “increasing number of mining affected communities, Christians and non-Christians alike, are subjected to human rights violations and economic deprivations”.

“We plan to ask the Senate and Congress to launch a formal inquiry in aid of legislation on the issue of the AFP’s promotion of ‘guns for hire’ for mining firms,” Bautista said.

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) is a Philippine-based network of non-government organizations (NGOs), grassroots organizations, and environmental advocates.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator, Kalikasan PNE
Phone: +63922.844.9787; Fax : 924-8756 . Email: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com Website: www.kalikasan.org

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