Mining firm seeks police help over harassment

MEYCAUAYAN, Bulacan , Philippines  – Officials of an investment firm engaged in the exploration and processing of tea rose marble in Barangay Kalawakan in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan has sought assistance from the government so it can resume operations following a recent violent attack of its mine personnel by some 40 armed men.

Dr. Lourdes Pascual, president of Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp., the registered owner of the 330-hectare mining site, personally sought assistance from President Arroyo who directed police Region 3 director Chief Superintendnet Nilo de la Cruz to provide protection so that Beijing Victory Investment Corp. can immediately resume operations. BVIC and RMDC have entered into a mining operations agreement to exclusively supply the Chinese government with high quality Bulacan tea rose marble for use in the construction of an ultra-modern airport and a number of seaports.

BVIC legal officer Purisima Martinez said the harassment of some groups was a serious blow to the government’s program to entice more foreign investors in the country. She said that BVIC Philippines and its mother firm in China have already invested P150 million to develop the mine site and the purchase of modern equipment for use to extract the tea rose marble.      – Dino Balabo