Sun.Star: ZTE mining deal stirs up Diwalwal

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Mt. Diwata village chief Franco Tito warned of bloodshed anew after reports came out that the controversial Chinese company ZTE was given the permit to mine the gold rush mountain in Monkayo, Compostela Valley. In a text message, Tito said it would be best for everyone if multinational mining corporations stay out of Diwalwal for now. "Dapat huwag na nilang pakialaman ang Diwalwal para hindi na muling magkagulo. Siguradong balik na naman ang patayan sa Diwalwal pag pinasok nila ito (They should refrain from interfering with Diwalwal to avoid conflict. I'm sure there would be bloodshed if a mining firm were allowed to mine there)," Tito said. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy meanwhile said he would have to verify the report first before making any statement. But, if this is true, then he will support the small miners in their fight. "I'm supporting the stand of Diwalwal miners not to allow foreign multinationals to enter Mt. Diwata," Uy said. The governor also called on the Philippine Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC) to be "transparent with the Provincial Government on (its) plans in Diwalwal." Sun.Star reported last week that Malacañang entered into a memorandum of understanding with ZTE Corporation to undertake mining operations in Diwalwal as early as June 23, 2006 and executed on July 12 that same year. For this, the Southeast Mindanao Gold Mining Corporation (SEM-GMC) filed an urgent manifestation and motion before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking a reversal of its First Division's June 23, 2006 decision that gave the government full control and supervision over mining operations in Agusan-Davao-Surigao Forest Reserve known as the "Diwalwal Gold Rush Area." Likewise, SEM-GMC asked SC to set the case for oral arguments. Thousands of small miners in Diwalwal had long been fighting for their right to mine the mountains for more than three decades now. Hundreds of lives were wasted in the fight that is about to happen again once a foreign mining company enters the area. - Sun.Star