PPA wants mining company to explain 'illegal' port on Sibuyan Island

Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) said it is voluntarily stopping all exploration and testing activities on Sibuyan Island in Romblon.

The development comes after fierce opposition from residents and environmental groups who have said the firm's mining activity would cause long-term impact on the ecosystem of the so-called "Galapagos Islands" of the Philippines.

Environmental defenders in Sibuyan, Romblon called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a cease and desist order to stop Altai Philippines Mining Company (APMC) operations. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered Altai Philippines Mining, a firm owned by  William Gatchalian, to stop its operations in Romblon due to lack of permits.

In a document dated Feb. 3, the PPA said it received letters from San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco and environmental group Bantay Kalikasan ng Sibuyan, expressing concerns about the "alleged illegal construction" of the company’s port located in Sitio Bato, Brgy. España, San Fernando.

"In this regard, we hereby refer to your end the above-mention manifestations for your information and submit comments on the matter within Five (5) Days from receipt hereof without prejudice to enforcement of existing rules and regulations of this Authority," the letter said.

According to Alyansa Tigil Mina, Senador Sherwin Gatchalian at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian's brother Kenneth Gatchalian might have a connection in Altai Philippines Mining Corporation. “Kapatid ni Senator si Kenneth – direct benefactor of Dynamo Atlantic Ltd., according to (PCIJ), It acquired Sibuyan Nickel Properties Dev’t Corp., a partner of Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (APMC). “Hinihhingi natin ang agarang aksyon ng DENR Secretary through MGB Regional Director to issue a cease and desist order. Ang mabagal na aksyon ng DENR ay magdudulot ng malawak na pinsala sa Isla ng Sibuyan at kapahamakan sa mga mamamayan, “ said Elizabeth Ibañez, Coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM).

Rodne Galicha, Executive-Director of Living Laudato Si said: “An urgent cease and desist order must be done by DENR to prevent further damage to ecosystems and people. We urge Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga to take action and visit the island for her to see the island personally and talk to the people.

Ibañez further decried the lack of capacity of the municipal and provincial officials to act on the people’s demands, saying that these officials stand in defense of the mining company and even act as their spokespersons.

“Walang maaasahang aksyon mula sa mga pinuno ng bayan at probinsya dahil lagi nilang ipinapasa ang kilos o aksyon sa national agency dahil sila ay takot at walang kapasidad na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin sa mga mamamayan bagkus sila mismo ang tumatayong tagapagtanggol at tagapagsalita ng minahan,” she said.

Jaybee Garganera, Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, said, “we fully support the calls of the residents and environment defenders in Sibuyan. We demand that the DENR spare no time in issuing a cease and desist order and justly heed and respect the will and sentiments of the Sibuyanons.”

Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (AMPC) on Sunday defended its “lawful” operations on Sibuyan Island in Romblon, as residents demanded to see the company’s permits and licenses.

In a statement, APMC said its operations in the area underwent “comprehensive environmental and socio-economic studies and outcome analyses,” consultation with regulators and agencies, and engagement with surrounding communities.

“Given this, we categorically deny all allegations questioning the legality of our Sibuyan operations,” the statement read. “Our company has secured all the necessary permits and licenses to lawfully and peacefully conduct our business in the area.”

The mining firm also said it reached out to protesters to establish a dialogue but “these efforts did not bear fruit.”

Rodne Galicha, executive director of the environmental group Living Laudato Si’, told CNN Philippines on Saturday that APMC had not reached out to them since they started a human barricade which tried to prevent the company’s trucks from loading nickel ore.

APMC said its management was “deeply saddened by the recent hostilities” and claimed it has “exhausted all means to help those who have been hurt.”

The human barricade, set up in front of the company’s port in Sitio Bato, Brgy. España in San Fernando, was dispersed by police on Friday, leaving two persons injured. Residents also said a barangay official was briefly handcuffed but was released a few minutes later. 

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, one of the owners of the APMC, said he is not involved in mining and exploration on the island as he was "hands off" from their family business. "But one thing for sure. I will listen to everyone who comes and approaches me with the same degree as when I was mayor," he said in a radio interview over Radyo Singko on Thursday. The former Valenzuela City mayor also vowed to "look into it" since their family business is imbued with public interest.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Mimaropa region has served APMC three notices of violation, as revealed on Friday during a multi-stakeholder dialogue where company representatives were also present. In one of the notices, DENR-Mimaropa said APMC violated the Water Code of the Philippines and DENR Administrative Order 2004-24 during the "construction of a docking port and the flattening of the proposed roadway by dumping gravel into the water" without an approved foreshore lease agreement.