IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay --- “Consult us first.”
This was the reaction of Wilfredo Sanggayan, the indigenous peoples’ (IP) representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of this province, to a published report that Mining firm Pacifica Inc. made a P50-million loan to Zam-Iron Mining Corp. for the latter’s exploration of metal deposits in the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.
Pacifica reportedly signed with Zam-Iron on Jan. 2 a loan agreement under which Zam-Iron will use the amount for exploration, development and use of its tenements on potential gold, silver and iron deposits in the towns of Kabasalan and Siay in Zamboanga Sibugay province, also referred to as Kabasalan Mining Rights, spanning 11,056.5 hectares.
The loan agreement gives Pacifica an option to buy 50 percent of all mineral output from the Kabasalan Mining Rights over five years.
It also provides that all Zam-Iron shareholders pledge their issued shares to secure the loan from Pacifica.
Represented by its president, Luisito Flores, Zam-Iron has filed exploration permit applications covering gold, silver and iron deposits for the Kabasalan Mining Rights.
Sanggayan, who earned the distinction to be the first IP representative to the provincial board by virtue of Republic Act 7381 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, said Zam-Iron must respect “the universally respected rights of the indigenous peoples to a free and prior informed consent (FPIC)” before starting their explorations in Kabasalan and Siay towns.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples explicitly recognizes the principle of FPIC as their right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for the development or use of their lands, territories and other resources including the development and utilisation of surface and subsurface resources.
“We must warn Zam-Iron that the IPs in these areas have already started their ancestral domain claims last year,” Sanggayan said.
In Kabasalan alone, according to Sanggayan, the IPs had processed their claims for ancestral land covering some 22,000 hectares. The application is pending at the provincial office of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
“We are not saying that we are against Zam-Iron or any other mining firms for that matter,” Sanggayan clarified, adding that “I am not totally against mining but let us ensure that we will do it responsibly”.
These mining companies must realized that the indigenous peoples have the right to say “no” to proposed development projects at any point during negotiations, he ended.#
Saturday, January 12, 2008
New general vows to keep track 'marching order from the Commander-in-Chief'
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (07 Jan) --- To keep track the “marching order” from higher command to finish-off the “enemy of the state” and ensure its fulfillment before 2010 is on the priority list of the Army 102nd Brigade commander.
Fresh from being promoted, Brig. Gen. Jovencio Magalso in an exclusive interview said he is confident that “communist insurgency in his area of responsibility will be contained even before 2010.”
Magalso was one of the four senior military officials assigned at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) area of jurisdiction, including Westmincom chief Major General Nelson Allaga, were promoted to the next higher rank.
They were among the 30 senior military officials in the country who have been promoted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo effective January 1, 2008 on recommendation of the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
From the army colonel, Magalso is now a one-star or brigadier general following his promotion and that of the other senior military officials.
Other senior military officials assigned at Westmincom that were promoted to the next higher rank are 2nd Marine Brigade chief Cesario Atienza, and Army 103rd Infantry Brigade chief Raynard Javier.
Their promotion is based on the provisions of Republic Act 291 as amended and in conjunction with Republic Act 8186 as amended, and Republic Act 9188, increasing the percentage distribution of generals and flag officers in the AFP table of organization.
When asked if his promotion also carries bigger responsibility, the soft-spoken general said his responsibilities remain the same as he still commands the same unit as before.
“But if given the opportunity to serve in other capacity and bigger responsibilities I will rise to the challenge of serving the people,” Magalso stressed, hinting that it is possible he will be re-assigned to other units after his promotion.
In his tour of duty as the chief of 102nd Brigade, Magalso, who started his military career 31 years ago as an Army 2nd Lieutenant, said they effectively contained the lawless activities in his area of responsibility (AOR).
The AOR of the 102nd Brigade covers the whole of Zamboanga Sibugay, the Baganian Peninsula in Zamboanga del Sur, and part of the 3rd congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte.
“We have reduced the number of communist insurgents in the area,” Magalso, a son of a farmer, revealed.
On the Moro insurgency, Magalso said he is one of the advocates for the “primacy of the peace process by ensuring the effective cessation of hostilities” in his AOR.
“Our troops are on active defense when it comes to dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels,” the newly-promoted general said.
Active defense means that the government troops conduct security patrols and “fired back only when fired”.
“We support the peace process as a means to solve the Mindanao problem,” Magalso concluded.#
Fresh from being promoted, Brig. Gen. Jovencio Magalso in an exclusive interview said he is confident that “communist insurgency in his area of responsibility will be contained even before 2010.”
Magalso was one of the four senior military officials assigned at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) area of jurisdiction, including Westmincom chief Major General Nelson Allaga, were promoted to the next higher rank.
They were among the 30 senior military officials in the country who have been promoted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo effective January 1, 2008 on recommendation of the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
From the army colonel, Magalso is now a one-star or brigadier general following his promotion and that of the other senior military officials.
Other senior military officials assigned at Westmincom that were promoted to the next higher rank are 2nd Marine Brigade chief Cesario Atienza, and Army 103rd Infantry Brigade chief Raynard Javier.
Their promotion is based on the provisions of Republic Act 291 as amended and in conjunction with Republic Act 8186 as amended, and Republic Act 9188, increasing the percentage distribution of generals and flag officers in the AFP table of organization.
When asked if his promotion also carries bigger responsibility, the soft-spoken general said his responsibilities remain the same as he still commands the same unit as before.
“But if given the opportunity to serve in other capacity and bigger responsibilities I will rise to the challenge of serving the people,” Magalso stressed, hinting that it is possible he will be re-assigned to other units after his promotion.
In his tour of duty as the chief of 102nd Brigade, Magalso, who started his military career 31 years ago as an Army 2nd Lieutenant, said they effectively contained the lawless activities in his area of responsibility (AOR).
The AOR of the 102nd Brigade covers the whole of Zamboanga Sibugay, the Baganian Peninsula in Zamboanga del Sur, and part of the 3rd congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte.
“We have reduced the number of communist insurgents in the area,” Magalso, a son of a farmer, revealed.
On the Moro insurgency, Magalso said he is one of the advocates for the “primacy of the peace process by ensuring the effective cessation of hostilities” in his AOR.
“Our troops are on active defense when it comes to dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels,” the newly-promoted general said.
Active defense means that the government troops conduct security patrols and “fired back only when fired”.
“We support the peace process as a means to solve the Mindanao problem,” Magalso concluded.#
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