Press Statement

November 24, 2007



GLORIA MAKES HER OWN CALAMITY "MINA"



As the nation prepares for the coming of typhoon Mina – the strongest
typhoon to possibly hit the country this year, the US-GMA regime is
wreaking havoc to the lumad communities of Caraga with its military
operations for "mina" (visayan for mining).  Said lumad communities
sit around Andap Valley Complex where the second largest coal deposit
rests along with gold and chromite. Andap Valley Complex covers the
municipalities of Tago, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga and
San Miguel where the church, NGOs and civic groups, lumad and peasant
communities actively oppose mining.  Chinese investors are said to
have been exploring the mountainous areas for minerals.  Benguet Corp.
along with other mining companies, have coal mining interests in said
area.



The military operations led by the 58th IB PA started last November 1,
2007 and continues unabated until present time. Along with around 500
soldiers, it brought canons and armored personnel carriers.  They set
up camp in the middle of the 12 lumad communities.



Use of Schools, Medical, Religious and other Public Places for
Military Purposes and Endangerment of Civilians

On November 5, at around 12:27 midnight, an unknown number of military
men arrived at Simowao, Diatagon, Lianga, SDS. The teachers were
awakened by soldiers asking for sleeping accommodations at the Simowao
Tribal School which is run by the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao
Sur, Inc.  Another group arrived on November 10, 2007, at around 3:00
o'clock dawn. Without the permission of the community and the
teachers-in-charge, military elements set up camp at the Simowao
Tribal Filipino Community School staying there for the whole day.  On
November 15, 2007 military men arrived in Kabuluhan, San Agustin,
destroyed the lock of the teachers' cottage of the Lumad Community
School and proceeded to encamp in said building.



Violation of Domicile, Threat/Harassment/Intimidation

Soldiers lived under homes, around it, even sleeping beside community
members in the communities of Lagangan, Han-ayan, Mike, Km. 16,
Simowao, Emerald, Panukmoan, Manluy-a in Diatagon, Lianga; Kabuluhan
and neighboring communities in San Agustin, all of Surigao del Sur.



Teachers, community members, even the children were warned that if
they (military) will be bombed, they will harm the civilians.



Violation of Children's Rights

Pupils aging between 7-10 years old and attending classes were not
spared. They were interrogated about men bringing guns and whether
elder brothers or sisters has joined the New People's Army (NPA) and
that they must surrender.  Military personnel who lived in the houses
of residents frequently ask questions from the children on their
involvement with the New People's Army.



Classes were often disrupted because of military presence. Military
personnel stationed at Simowao, Emerald and Han-ayan frequently went
to the Tribal Filipino Community Schools and Lumad High school and
interrogated the teachers and students.



Canons have been stationed in Simowao facing the school grounds.







Hamletting; Illegal Checkpoints

The military set up checkpoints in Simowao and Emerald, the entry
points of other communities. Activities of local residents were
monitored. They were asked for their names, IDs and/or cedulas.  Bags
and belongings were checked. On November 12, 2007 at around 9:00
o'clock in the morning, military checkpoints became stricter. A list
of names and cell phone numbers were made by the military.  Motor
drivers were asked for their names, driver's license and the engine
serial numbers.





Food and other Economic Blockades

Movements and economic activities of residents were limited and
monitored by the military. They were refrained from going to their
farmlands and continuing their livelihood activities like rattan and
abaca gathering. Military presence violated the residents' sense of
security. Residents do not leave their houses at night even for waste
disposal - afraid of being harmed by military personnel who stationed
themselves in their homes.



Illegal Arrest; Coercion: Use of Civilians in Military Operations as
Guide and/or as Shield

A certain Ritchie Enot, 19 years of age from Upper Oregon, San Isidro,
Lianga was arrested by the military while he was harvesting rattan at
Venus forest area. The young man was then forced to guide the military
in their operations.  He was only freed last November 15, 2007 after
relatives demanded such from the battalion headquarters at St.
Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.



Last November 16, 2007, a mute abaca farmer was seen by said military
men in Purok 12, Bogbog, also of Bolhoon and was made to go with the
military men in their operations.



Forcible Evacuation/Displacement

Evacuation of families from far flung communities came in trickles.
Last November 12 five (5) families from Panukmoan went to Manluy-a and
sought sanctuary with the community for fear of the military
operation.  Others from neighboring communities went to Han-ayan,
Emerald and Simowao. Last November 17, more than 40 families evacuated
from Magkahunao to Hanipaan, Buhisan, Sto. Nino and Kauswagan in San
Agustin.



On November 21, nine lumad communities evacuated to Diatagon but
around 21 families in Manluy-a, Panukmoan and Sudon were prevented by
the military from going to Simowao and going with the evacuation.  The
three communities were only able to evacuate today, November 24, 2007
after NGO's, church people and certain government agencies intervened.



To date 11 lumad communities have evacuated to Diatagon, Lianga and
San Agustin.  Evacuees now total 254 families or 1,511 individuals
with 492 students affected.



Manmade Calamities can be stopped



With natural calamities we can only prepare for the worst, but
man-made calamities brought about by military operations that threaten
and endanger lives, affects livelihood and victimize thousands can be
avoided.



Tropical depression Mina will pass by the country and leave after a
day or two.  But calamity GMA-Mina (mining operations) which is
preceded by military operations  will stay for a long time.  It will
be stamped in the lives of the people of Caraga, especially the lumad,
for years to come.



Military operations should not endanger civilians!

Human rights should be respected at all times!



For Reference, contact:

Rev. Modesto Villasanta, UCCP, Spokesperson, Karapatan-SS CP. No.: 09192584146

Or Atty. Antonio Azarcon, Union of People's Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM)

 Tel. No.: (086) 211-3492