philippines rights commission regarding oceana

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Philippines rights commission asks Aquino to cancel agreement with Oceana Gold
04-FEB-2011 Intellasia | PIA
4 Feb, 2011 - 7:00:00 AM
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The Commission on Human Rights(CHR) recently recommended to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III the withdrawal of a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement(FTAA) from a foreign mining company.

In its recommendation dated January, the CHR cited the alleged human rights abuses of the Oceana Gold Philippines Inc. (OGPI), a foreign owned corporation against indigenous peoples of barangay Didipio in Kasibu town, some 70 kilometers from here.

CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales said the human rights situation in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya is worsening because of the alleged wrongdoings of personnel of Oceana Gold Philippines Inc. (OGPI), a foreign-owned corporation who is conducting exploration for gold and copper deposits in the village.

Rosales said CHR observed that the perimeter fences were introduced in conscious disregard of the rights of the residents of Didipio.

No genuine consultation of the residents was ever had as to the construction of said fences, much less as to its location.

Rosales also asked President Aquino to require all concerned agencies, particularly the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), to submit reports to the CHR regarding concrete actions they have taken to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of the affected community in Didipio, within 30 days from receipt of their resolution including Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to monitor the situation.

Last year, former CHR chair Leila De Lima, in a visit to the province conducted a probe on the issues and concerns lodged by the affected villagers of the mining project.

The CHR in turn, through Rosales issued an enbanc resolution enumerating the violations of the mining company such as the rights to adequate housing and property when it evicted the villagers without valide court order and relocation as required by law, right to freedom of movement and right to be subjected to arbitrary interference.

The resolution also stemmed from the complaint of the affected residents where at least 187 houses were allegedly demolished by the company in June 2008.# bme/PIA 2 Nueva Vizcaya -by Ben Moses Ebreo

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=14993