“APMC, May Paglabag daw kayo Sabi ng DENR!”

HINDI ko alam kung sino ang sinungaling o sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo sa pagitan ng Altai Philippine Mining Corp (APMC) o Department of Natural Resources (DENR).

Hinggil ito sa kontrobersiyal na mining na nagaganap sa Sibuyan Island sa Romblon. Ang mga nagrereklamong residente, sunod-sunod ng dumadating sa aming action center.

Naging ugat ng kaguluhan sa probinsiya ng Roblon ang umano’y mining activities ng APMC.

Pahayag ng APMC sa media kamakailan: we, in ALTAI, vehemently deny all malicious allegations hurled against us. WE ARE NOT ILLEGAL MINING OPERATORS. We will address each and every issue before the proper forum so we can focus on the real issues at hand.

Meron daw silang permit to explore, transport and ship ore samples mula sa DENR. Eh ano ngayon kung may permit kayo, kung marami namang naperwisyo ng inyong pagmimina?!

Iba ‘yung lehitimo ang ginagawa dahil may permit. Iba naman ‘yung may permit pero may mga paglabag na ginagawa kaya nagiging iligal ang aktibidades.

Eto naman ang sabi ng DENR na nakapost sa kanilang website simula February 8, 2023:

1. Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) to CEASE AND DESIST the construction and operation of its causeway in Sitio Bato, Brgy. España, San Fernando, Romblon;

2. Ore Transport Permit No. OTP-APMC-162-001-2022-MIMAROPA issued to APMC is SUSPENDED, in view of the non-operation of its causeway;

3. APMC to STOP transporting ore from the contract site to the causeway;

4. APMC’s application for Miscellaneous Lease Agreement is DENIED for its violations of Commonwealth Act 141, as amended, otherwise known as the Public Land Act, and its related issuances;

5. PENRO Romblon to file appropriate legal actions, if warranted, on the reported cutting of trees without permit; and

6. PENRO Romblon to conduct investigation on the alleged damage / destruction of seagrass and other marine resources.

All these orders are IMMEDIATELY EXECUTORY upon receipt.”

Nitong Martes lang, may mga taga-Romblon akong nakausap na dumating sa aming tanggapan. Isa sila sa mga humarang kamakailan sa nagpupumilit na truck umano ng APMC sa kabila ng violation notice ng DENR na nakapaskil sa mining site.

Ngayong ipina-BITAG na kayo, magbabantay kami sa inyong mga sasabihin APMC kung tutugna ang inyong mga sinasabi sa inyong pinaggagagawa.