Chamber of Mines says no to 'revolutionary taxes'

MANILA, Philippines - The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines yesterday expressed alarm over assertions by communist insurgents that their terrorist attack against three mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte last Monday was a retaliatory action for alleged environmental destruction committed by those firms.

“The insurgents – whose real intention was to extort money from responsible large-scale mining operators in the area – are clearly riding on the wave of sentiments being advanced by, among others, the Palawan anti-mining movement whose proponent, wittingly or unwittingly, are being used by groups identified with the left,” the chamber said in a statement.

The “constant propaganda” aired during the last nine months of the advocacy’s proponents have “apparently emboldened the NPA (New People’s Army) to believe that protection of the environment can justify their attacks on mining companies,” it said.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), which espouses occupational safety and environmental protection, condemned the rash of violence and extortion against mining firms.

PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate “these senseless acts” and “ensure that justice be served.”

The Chamber of Mines reiterated its member-companies’ adherence to the principles of responsible mining and good governance, stressing that they “will never succumb to pressures of whatever form to pay the rebels’ so-called ‘revolutionary taxes.’”

“As contractors of the Philippine government, our members are committed to religiously pay the right amount of taxes only to the government,” it said.

“In the pursuit of our mining projects, we uphold the human rights of all stakeholders, especially those in our host communities. We will remain to be the Filipino people’s partner in progress in the areas of job creation and livelihood promotion, educational advancement, community development, health and sanitation, infrastructure, increased government revenues, and poverty alleviation,” it said.

“We will continue to strive to minimize the negative impact of our activities, products and services on the environment, on people and on communities where we operate,” it added.

The chamber asked the Aquino administration to provide protection for investments in mineral development, a major component of the Medium-Term Development Plan.

It added though that it is heartened by the assurances of President Aquino, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, that the perpetrators of the recent attacks in Surigao del Norte will be brought to justice.

“We also ask the Palawan anti-mining movement to refrain from spreading half-truths and outright lies in its shotgun approach to stop minerals development not only in Palawan but, effectively, in the whole country as well,” the chamber said.