Help the people of Midsalip, Philippines, defend their sacred land
A critical situation is developing in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines since October 2010. A Philippine mining company, Geotechniques and Mining Incorporated (GAMI), the registered applicant of a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) mining application designated as APSA-00104-IX, has begun deploying drilling equipment in the critical watershed area of Mt Sugarloaf in the Diocese of Pagadian. Communities are blocking their operation. The company MSSON has instigated Civil and Criminal Cases against the leaders.
On 6 October 2004, the GAMI (CLAIM APPLICANT), the UNITED PHILIPPINE AND CHINA MINING CORP (OPTION HOLDER) and MSSON MINING & EXPLORATION CORP. (PROJECT COMPANY), executed a Mining Operating Agreement, whereby the right to explore, develop and exploit the iron ore and other minerals contained in the Mining Claims in the GAMI MPSA area were transferred to MSSON MINING & EXPLORATION CORP.
The area concerned, also concerns and affects the Archdiocese of Qzamiz, Diocese of Dipolog and the Prelature of Ipil, all in the Zamboanga peninsula in western Mindanao, a designated Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 155) - a conservation priority area. Such areas should therefore be exempt from exploration or mining programs as a principle in the 1995 Mining Act.
The immediate area was the beneficiary of a World Bank/ADB funded (SECAL-ENR) reforestation project. This too is under threat.
Catholic parishioners, farmers, Subaanen indigenous people and students have been holding peaceful picket s to protest and deter the operation of drilling equipment since early October 2010 and are facing harassment, including Court Cases both Civil and Criminal.
What you can do:
- Read the Midsalip update and action guide (pdf) and send letters to Philippine President Benigno Aquino from Working Group on Mining in the Philippines members the Society of St Columban (pdf) and Clive Wicks (pdf) of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic & Social Policy.
- Send letters and emails in support to President Benigno Aquino and others as suggested in the update and action guide (pdf).
- Use this action card (pdf): print it double-sided on A4 card, cut into four postcards (offer the spares to others), sign and insert your address/affiliation on one card, add postage and send.
- Let Miles Litvinoff know what action you take and of any replies you receive.
- Access on Help the people of Midsalip, Philippines, defend their sacred land
- Contact Frank Nally SSC and the working Group on Mining in the Philippines for further information at wgmpuk@tiscali.co.uk
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
ASSIGNMENT
In consideration of the payment by the OPTION HOLDER to the CLAIM APPLICANT upon the signing of this Agreement of the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the latter, and the payment by the PROJECT COMPANY to the OPTION HOLDER of the amount of ONE PESO (P1.00), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the CLAIM APPLICANT and the OPTION HOLDER hereby assign, cede, transfer and convey absolutely, irrevocably and forever the Mining Claims in the MPSA area unto the PROJECT COMPANY, its successors, liquidators or assigns.
By virtue of the assignment, the CLAIM APPLICANT and the OPTION HOLDER hereby confirms that the PROJECT COMPANY has the right to explore develop and exploit the Mining Claims in the MPSA area and the issues and approved MPSA [should one be issued and approved after this Agreement].
CLAIM APPLICANT = GEOTECHNIQUES AND MINING INC.,
OPTION HOLDER = UNITED PHILIPPINE AND CHINA MINING CORP
PROJECT COMPANY = MSSON MINING & EXPLORATION CORP.,
GEOTECHNIQUES AND MINING INC., 40 Manila Street, Filinvest-Eastville, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines, Chairman of the Board, JAIME C. ZAFRA
MSSON MINING & EXPLORATION CORP., Rm. 21, Parc House Building, 227 EDSA Greenhills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Chairman of the Board, MR. MANUEL SY
UNITED PHILIPPINE AND CHINA MINING CORP., 19 Anabu Hills, Industrial Estate, Imus, Cavite, Philippines. President, MR. KAMSIN WONG
'And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God' - Micah 6:8
