Mindanao bishops urge Noy to reject Tampakan mining plan

MANILA, Philippines - Bishops based in Mindanao on Tuesday called on President Benigno Aquino III to stop the planned operations of the copper and gold mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato, which covers at least 28,000 hectares of land.

Marbel Bishop Dimualdo Gutierrez,Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable and Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz said the mining operation will pose danger to lives of the natives in the area as well as the destruction of the environment.

The bishops claimed that the mining site is the biggest open pit mine in Asia.

They said that over 5,000 residents would be displaced if the government would allow the operations of the mine by Sagitarius Mines Inc.

"We continue, number one, educating our people, organizing them and above all praying to God that is what we have been doing here for the government. We pray also for the government to reach out to them not to allow mining in Tampakan," the bishops said.

Meanwhile, an online petition launched by the Tampakan Forum aims to oppose the mining in the area. The forum was supported by international environment and human rights advocates.

The online petition on Change.org calls on the government to cancel its financial and technical assistance agreement with the SMI-Xstrata Tampakan mining project.

Aside from the 5,000 B'laan indigents, the bishops also projected that around 150,000 farmers in Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato will be displaced by the mining operation.