CEBU, Philippines (Updated 1:13 p.m.) — The woman who urged President Rodrigo Duterte to stop quarrying in Naga City, Cebu is safe but fears for her life.
In a statement sent to The Freeman, Sheila Eballe said she had to go into hiding because she felt threatened when she found out that security personnel of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation reportedly came looking for her.
"I fear for my safety now. They are looking for me. I was first alerted when the security personnel from Apo were looking for me. Have I committed any wrongdoing? I only expressed what is true," she said.
It was during Duterte’s visit to the relocation center on September 21 when Eballe stood right next to the president and spoke her mind against quarrying at the mic.
Meanwhile, ALQC spokesperson Chito Maniago denied that the company sent someone to look for or talk to Eballe.
"It is foul for us to be associated in this incident," he told The Freeman.
Yesterday afternoon, the company released an official statement:
“ALQC condemns in the strongest terms such malicious reports linking the company to the alleged disappearance of a certain "Shiela". ALQC remains committed to supporting all those affected in every way it can, even post-evacuation relief efforts. Said irresponsible claim has no room in this difficult time, when the communities' welfare IS OF the paramount importance. This is the last time ALQC will respond to this baseless report.”
Maniago said ALQC has nothing against Eballe’s and the company believes that her request to the President was "transparent and sincere".
He said AQLC’s priority is helping survivors get back on their feet.
The September 20 landslides in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City where ALQC operates killed at least 77 and displaced hundreds.
Eballe was among those who were made to leave Barangay Pangdan, as the barangay is located within the 100-kilometer radius from the landslides site.
With many other evacuees, she took shelter at the Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC) but was last seen there only on Friday last week.
Yesterday, Cebu Provincial Police Office spokesperson Janette Rafter said Eballe has sought refuge with a relative.
"Naa mi nakastorya nga family niya didto then naa ra si Eballe although wala siya sa evacuation center na," Rafter said.
She said the police are ready to assist and protect Eballe should she receive threats to her life.
Chief Insp. Roderick Gonzales of the Naga Police also said that his team will validate and verify the reports of Eballe getting threats.
Eballe is reportedly set to follow her husband and children in the United States.
"Accordingly, iyang husband and mga anak naa sa gawas; siya na lang naa diri. Molargahay na sad na kay gipetisyonan na man daw na siya," Rafter said.
Environmental group, Kalikasan People's Network, issued a statement in support of Eballe.
"The victimization of Nanay ‘Shiela’ for speaking truth to power in the face of Rodrigo Duterte is a victimization of all environmental defenders. It sends a message that exposing the accountability of big mines and quarries in disastrous injustices will get your life threatened,” said Leon Dulce, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment. (FREEMAN)
(Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that the landslide happened on September 20, not June 20.)