Mining activities tied to Abra All Saints' Day ambush

La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines  – Corporate mi­ning’s entry in the province is being tied to last Saturday’s rebel ambuscade in remote Licuan Baay town.

The Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command who claims responsibility in the killing of Pfcs Phillip Balonggay Jr., Anofre Doca and Joel Suria and the wounding of Corporal William Gonzales, Pfcs Ronald Siazon, Eulogio Mangano, Joey Balmes and Private Celso Kelang said, the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion has been involved in “terrorizing” indigenous Tingguian communities and serving as “security escorts” of mining firms – the reason they gave for launching the ambush.

A foreign-based mining firm tied with a local company is eyeing to mine large areas in mineral rich Licuan Baay, but is meeting stiff resistance from villagers.

Earlier, at least three congressmen from the Cordillera Administrative Region called for a mining moratorium in the region at the heels of an apparent bid to protect the environment and the indigenous people. Only Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, chairman of the House Committee on National Cultural Communities; Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara, vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Works; and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog thumbed up the ban sans three other CAR congressmen that include Abra Rep. Joy Bernos.