Mining industry condemns lumad killings

MANILA, Philippines - The mining industry has condemned the killings of lumad leaders and urged the government to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said the murders of Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos and Aurelio Sinzo are “heinous crimes that have no place in a civil society.”

“We recognize the rights of indigenous peoples to live peacefully in their ancestral lands and to decide whether or not mining projects would be allowed to operate within their ancestral lands,” the COMP said.

They also called on Catholic Church leaders and anti-mining groups to be “more careful” in their statements blaming mining firms.

“We ask them.. not to take advantage of unfortunate incidents as another opportunity to denigrate the whole mining industry. Irresponsible statements blaming large mining companies for the violence only mislead the public,” the COMP said.

The group said legitimate mining companies have productive relationships with indigenous communities hosting their mining operations, citing the payment of P340 million in royalties in 2012 alone.