Heavy military presence forces Surigao folk to flee

Reported heavy military presence in mining areas in mineral-rich Surigao del Sur has allegedly driven hundreds of families in five towns to flee their homes and seek refuge in evacuation centers.

Sr. Lydia Lascono, direc­tress of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Tandag in Suri­gao del Sur, said 254 families have fled their mountain homes because of the “sudden heavy military presence” in the towns of Lianga, San Agustin, Mari­hatag, Tago, and San Miguel where three mining projects and a logging concession are expected to operate soon.

“The government would of course say that the military presence in those areas was part of its anti-insurgency campaign. But many believe that the military operations were meant to clear the areas for the entry of mining operations,” Lascondo told reporters at the sidelines of the International Interdisciplinary Mining Conference at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, which concluded yesterday.

Lascono said the “militari­zation” in the five towns started last Nov. 9, forcing the local folk to trek 18 kilometers to evacuation centers in Diatogon, Bolhoon, Janipaan, Buhisan, and Carras-an last Nov. 21.