‘Probe violence at Mt. Diwalwal’

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into two incidents at the gold-rush site at Mt. Diwalwal which left two persons dead and five others wounded.

This, as President Arroyo, Alvarez said, has approved the "emergency" measures which his department has drawn up to effect government takeover of mining operations at Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley due to escalating violence.

He said the budget department, upon the President’s order, has committed to release P50 million for the construction of a catch basin for mine tailings.

In a letter to NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco, Alvarez requested an investigation into the Aug. 7 ambush and burning of a dump truck owned by JB Management Corp. in the Mabatas area near the gold-rush site. One was killed and five others were wounded in the attack.

Alvarez also asked the NBI to probe the death of a miner last July 26 due to suffocation from smoke coming from burned tires reportedly laced with cyanide.

The toxic smoke, which also affected 44 other miners, seeped through the underground working areas of Helica Mining Corp.

The investigation into the twin incidents was demanded by small-sale miners who barricaded the Tagmanok Bridge in Mawab, Compostela Valley last week.

Last Aug. 12, Alvarez issued Administrative Order 2002-18 declaring an "emergency situation" at Mt. Diwalwal, and stopping all mining and mineral processing activities at the gold-rush site.

The police and the military have committed to deploy 300 men to maintain peace and order in the area.