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Likely collapse of LCMC tailings dam walls spooks Benguet folks

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Likely collapse of LCMC tailings dam walls spooks Benguet folks
 
By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
NORTHERN DISPATCH
BANGUED, Abra – Residents of Mankayan, Benguet who attended the Benguet, Abra, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur (BAMPIS) Mining Summit held here expressed fears that the plan of Goldfields Far South East to build additional walls to the tailings dam 5A mean there are more mine tailings to expect on its full operation.

Marcelo Gomgom-o, former miner in Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) and a resident of the said town, asked during the summit if the activities in the tailings dam specifically of Goldfields’ wall tests are safe. Gomgom-o and the residents had reportedly observed from above the wall of the tailings dam the testing activities being conducted there.

Albert Diego, a resident of Colalo, Mankayan, added that the the present tailings dam cannot handle the mine wastes that would be generated once Goldfields starts full operation — the said dam, he said, has already reached its full capacity and as such, it cannot contain any more waste. But instead of building another dam, Goldfields, a partner of LCMC, is just adding walls to the existing tailings dam..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/01/likely-collapse-of-lcmc-tailings-dam-walls-spooks-benguet-folks/

Mine-affected communities mine their experiences at opposing large-scale mining

Mine-affected communities mine their experiences at opposing large-scale mining

By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
NORTHERN DISPATCH
BAGUED, Abra – “I am very glad to see many people here. It means that we are not the only ones fighting against corporate mining.” This is how Dominga Gaspar, member of the Barangay Council of Gambang, Bakun, Benguet, started her testimony at the Benguet, Abra, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur (BAMPIS) Mining Summit held here last November 18.

Gaspar recalled how their community has staunchly opposed mining exploration starting from when the first mining application into their area was submitted. Community members said they held numerous activities, wrote opposition papers, manifestations and many more just to register their rejection of any large-scale mining activities in their area.

The village of Gambang hosted the Cordillera Day in 2009 where Gabriela Womens Partylist (GWP) Representative Luzviminda Ilagan attended and witnessed their strong opposition to the Exploration Application of RoyalCo Philippines Inc., said Gaspar as example.

She said they also trooped to the House of Representatives in Quezon City to be heard by Congressmen in the region in 2010. Also, they hosted the On-site Congressional Inquiry of the National Cultural Communities specifically on the violations to the Indigenous Peoples Rights by the RoyalCo, most especially with regard to the subdivision of their village into various ‘phases.’ They submitted their manifestations to concerned offices and government agencies..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/01/mine-affected-communities-mine-their-experiences-at-opposing-large-scale-mining/

Military turns wrath on farmers, activists in Eastern Visayas

Military turns wrath on farmers, activists in Eastern Visayas


By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
CALBAYOG CITY, Western Samar – On Nov. 17, farmer Romeo Galvez went to the municipal hall of Calbiga, Samar to process some papers. He was surprised when the police arrested him on charges of murder, frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms.

Later would Romeo, village chieftain of Buluan, Calbiga, know that the complaint against him was the same charge filed against his brother, Noel, who has been detained at the Catbalogan City Jail for more than a year. The complaint, filed by 1st Lt. Renante Morales of the 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, is in connection with the New People’s Army raid against soldiers on Dec. 10, 2009 at Bgy. Binanggaran, Calbiga.

Alberto Bersola, coordinator of Kapunungan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Weste han Samar (Kapawa), a local peasant group, said another village chieftain, Ildelfonso Nablo of Barangay Binaggaran and more than 60 other peasants, mostly members of Kapawa, have been included in the charge sheet as John Does and Jane Does.

Bersola decried the military’s practice of filing charges against farmers. “They are ordinary farmers, not NPA members,” Bersola said in an interview. “The military turns their anger on defenseless farmers.”
According to Kapawa, Romeo and Nablo are innocent. At the time of the incident, both were in Catbalogan,Samar to claim checks from the Pantawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Program.


caption for bersola : Alberto Bersola of the local peasant group Kapununguan Han Gudti Nga Parag-Uma Ha Weste Han Samar (Kapawa), shows the petition of local residents calling for the withdrawal of charges against their village chieftains.(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)
Bersola showed two petition letters signed by local residents calling on the authorities to drop the charges against the two. The village chieftain of Barangay Beri, Lito Cabalhao, also testified in court that the two accused are innocent, saying that both are active in the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC).

Galvez’s lawyer filed a motion to quash the warrant of arrest because the name indicated in the warrant is Romy Galvez, not Romeo Galvez.

Earlier, on Sept. 12, one farmer was shot dead and three others were arrested in retaliation over a raid at the municipal hall of Hinabangan, Samar by NPA guerrillas.

Based on Kapawa’s account, Mariano Abarracoso went to the site of the incident after the raid. He was shot by a policeman. When three of his relatives went to file a complaint, they were arrested. Adalberto Abarracoso, Mariano’s son, Roque Abadiano, son-in-law and Jornalia Acutim, daughter are now detained at the Hinabangan Jail.
According to Kenneth Perez, deputy secretary general of Katungod-Sinirangang Bisaya,the local human rights group, there are 22 political prisoners all over the region. Seven were arrested under the Aquino administration, including artist Ericson Acosta and three peasants in Leyte.

There are 360 prisoners all over the country, according to Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda)..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/10/military-turns-wrath-on-farmers-activists-in-eastern-visayas/

US troops surround Syria on the eve of invasion?

US troops surround Syria on the eve of invasion?


A former official from within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting that US and NATO forces have landed outside of Syria and are training militants to overthrow the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, formerly a translator with the FBI, wrote over the weekend that American soldiers are among the NATO troops that have mysteriously and suddenly landed on the Jordanian and Syrian border. According to her, several sources internationally have confirmed the news, although the US media has been instructed to temporarily censor itself from reporting the news..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/us-nato-syria-edmonds-709/

Obama insists on indefinite detention of Americans (w/ Video)



Obama insists on indefinite detention of Americans


Think that President Obama will stand by his word and veto the legislation that will allow the government to detain American citizens without charge or trial? Think again.

The Obama administration has insisted that the president will veto the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, a bill that passed through the Senate last week. Under the legislation, the United States of America is deemed a battlefield and Americans suspected of committing a terrorism offense can be held without trial and tortured indefinitely. Despite the grave consequences for citizens and the direct assault on the US Constitution, the act managed to make it through both halves of Congress but President Obama says he won’t let it become a law..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/obama-detention-defense-levin-635/

Undercover cops spy on Occupy LA

Undercover cops spy on Occupy LA

 Officers within the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department have confirmed that undercover cops infiltrated the Occupy LA encampment and conducted clandestine surveillance on the protesters in the days leading up to last month’s raid and eviction.

Before cops launched a crack-down on the Occupy LA encampment on November 30, officials secretly kept tabs on protesters, using undercover officers to monitor the tent compound on foot and relying on surveillance cameras to keep tabs on the demonstrations from above. This news comes from Reuters, who were leaked the info from officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

As the Occupy Wall Street movement grew from city to city across the country, protesters have suggested that cops had conducted clandestine surveillance on them but law enforcement has been hesitant to make any such acknowledgment. A senior official close to the crack down on Occupy LA, however, confirms that such was the case in the Los Angeles encampment..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/occupy-la-protesters-surveillance-625/

Miriam now an ICC judge, to still serve as senator-juror By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 12/14/2011

Miriam now an ICC judge, to still serve as senator-juror

By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 12/14/2011

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has been elected judge of an international human rights tribunal, making her the first ever female from a developing Asian state to clinch the seat.

Santiago, who topped the first round of elections held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), garnered 79 out of 104 valid votes that gave her the the victory to claim a seat at the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The Philippines has found its rightful place in the International Criminal Court,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday. “As a strong democracy dedicated to the fight against impunity, the Philippines considers this victory historic, as historic as the day we ratified the Rome Statute.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111214hed4.html

Abalos rushes to Pasay court after arrest warrant issued By Pat C. Santos 12/14/2011

Abalos rushes to Pasay court after arrest warrant issued

By Pat C. Santos 12/14/2011

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. was ordered arrested by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court yesterday in connection with electoral sabotage charges last week as recommended by his former commisioners, some of whom are still at their posts.

After Pasay RTC Branch 112 Presiding Judge Jesus Mupas signed the warrant of arrest, Abalos accompanied by his wife Cora, son Mandaluyong Mayor Ben Hur as well as his legal team, upon learning of his arrest, rushed to the court to file a motion for the suspension of the arrest warrant.

The warrant was issued five days after an electoral sabotage complaint was filed against him and three others. The other respondents, including former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo have already been served warrants, with the former president now detained at a government hospital..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111214hed3.html

Binay most trusted but poll shows ambivalence on Corona 12/14/2011

Binay most trusted but poll shows ambivalence on Corona

12/14/2011
Most Filipinos continue to give their biggest approval and trust on Vice President Jejomar Binay but indicated ambivalence on its perception of Chief Justice Renato Corona who while receiving the lowest performance rating of 38 percent also had 37 percent undecided on how to rate and similarly Corona was in the bottom of the trust rating of five government officials with 29 percent also had 43 percent undecided votes, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed.

The survey showed 83 per-cent of respon-dents were satis-fied with Binay’s performance against 72 percent on President Aquino, 60 percent on Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and 45 percent on Speaker Fel-iciano Belmonte.

On trust, 83 percent of res-pondents gave their vote to Binay com-pared to 74 percent on Aquino, 59 percent on Enrile and 41 percent on Belmonte..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111214hed6.html

4 AFP senior execs face court martial proceedings over Basilan fiasco By Mario J. Mallari 12/14/2011

4 AFP senior execs face court martial proceedings over Basilan fiasco

By Mario J. Mallari 12/14/2011

Four senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be subjected to general court martial proceedings in connection with the Basilan debacle last October that resulted in the killing of 19 elite troops of the Army.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said that former AFP chief-newly- retired Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. approved last Saturday the recommendation of the court of inquiry (CoI) which looked deeper into the operation of the 13th and 19th Special Forces Companies in Al Barka town last Oct. 18.

“The former chief of staff, General Oban, acted on the recommendation of the CoI and has approved its recommendations last weekend,” Burgos said.

“Part of the recommendation is that four senior officers are to be subjected to court martial proceedings. They have to go through the pre-trial investigation first to give them the chance to submit their counter affidavit,” Burgos added..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111214nat1.html

JBC reveals top nominee for position of CA justice 12/14/2011

JBC reveals top nominee for position of CA justice

12/14/2011
Manila City Chief Prosecutor Jhoseph Lopez topped the list of nominees of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the position of Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice.

The JBC, chaired by Chief Justice Renato Corona, has shortlisted four nominees which will be transmitted to President Aquino who will choose within a period of 90 days upon submission of the list as mandated by the 1987 Constitution.

Others on the JBC shortlist of nominees were judges from the regional trial courts (RTCs) garnering five votes each.

These were Las Pias RTC Judge Joselito Vibandor, Quezon City RTC Judge Maria Elisa Sempio-Diy and Judge Renato Francisco of Malolos, Bulacan RTC..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111214met3.html

DILG chief orders PNP to stop crimes perpetrated by ‘Batang Hamog’ members 12/14/2011

DILG chief orders PNP to stop crimes perpetrated by ‘Batang Hamog’ members

12/14/2011
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday ordered the Philippine National Police to stop crimes perpetrated by “batang hamog” gangs composed of teenagers on unsuspecting motorists, particularly in the Edsa-Guadalupe area.

Robredo, who is also the concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission, issued the directive after recent media reports focused on the rise of criminal activities such as “bukas-kotse” and holdup/mugging incidents perpetrated by young offenders in the area and in other similar places in the metropolis.

Specifically, he instructed PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome to increase police visibility and establish police outposts in the Makati area to prevent the juveniles from carrying out their criminal acts..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111214met4.html

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