Environmentalist Group Fears Cover-Up In Compostela Landslide Tragedy

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 23, 2008) – An environmentalist group in the southern Philippines called PANALIPDAN! expressed fears about a recent statement by the government that mining activities here had nothing to do with the series of landslides that killed dozens of people.

Philippine authorities said more than two dozen people had died from a landslide that struck the mining town of Maco in Compostela Valley province in Mindanao. Days of monsoon rains loosened mud and boulders that cascaded down the slopes in the village of Masara early this month.

Several other environmentalist groups also blamed mining activities in the province for the landslides, saying, tunnels had aggravated the soil condition.

Seven villages - Mainit, Tagbaros, Elizalde, Panibasan, Teresa, New Barili and Limbo - are also in danger of landslides and authorities ordered residents, mostly small-scale gold miners, away from slopes.

Among those who died was the village chieftain of Masara, Jovencio Anquera and his two daughters.

But the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said the area is a geo-hazard and prone to landslides, a finding challenged by environmentalists.

“With the recent declarations of DENR and MGB, apparently they are quick in putting the blame to the residents who are actually the victims of the tragedy here without even conducting prior in-depth investigation as to why the landslide occurred and how it happened to be a landslide-prone area in the first place,” Francis Morales, Panalipdan spokesman, said in a statement.

Morales challenged DENR and said: “Instead of proposing another policy to dislocate the people, why not review the recent policy such is the Mining Act of 1995 and see what ill-effects it has brought to the people and how they could pay for the crime they have done against the people and environment due to their relentless issuance of mining permits to big foreign mining corporations."

He said his group and other environmentalists were apprehensive over the real motive of the forcible evacuation of settlers in Masara and Mainit villages.

“There could be more to this than simply being concern for more landslides in the area,” Morales said.

Morales cited Panalipdan’s own research which showed that operations of big mining firms in the province, especially in the town, had contributed largely to the destruction of the environment.

“With the large-scale mining operating in the area, evacuation of settlers also means paving the way for more plunder of mineral resources and an easy way to establish a dam for mine tailings. Mines tailings are destroying our river systems just like what happened to (pollutions of) Hijo and Naboc rivers,” he said.

Morales said his group, which is campaigning for the total scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995, also urged authorities and humanitarian and environmental advocates to launch an impartial and in-depth investigation into the Masara tragedy. He also appealed for aid for thousands of people affected by landslides here. (With a report from Romy Bwaga)

Compostela Landslide Death Toll Now At 20

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 9, 2008) – Philippine authorities said a total of 20 people had died from a landslide that struck the mining town of Maco in Compostela Valley province in Mindanao.

Monsoon rains the past days loosened mud and boulders that cascaded down the slopes in the village of Masara at the weekend.

Seven more villages - Mainit, Tagbaros, Elizalde, Panibasan, Teresa, New Barili and Limbo - are also in danger of landslides and authorities ordered residents, mostly small-scale gold miners, away from slopes.

Among those who died was the village chieftain of Masara, Jovencio Anquera and his two daughters. (Romy Bwaga)

8 Killed In Southern Philippines Landslide

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 7, 2008) – At least 8 people were killed and dozens had been reported missing after a landslide buried houses on a mountain town called Maco in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, military reports said on Sunday.

Soldiers were sent to the town to help rescuers search for survivors from Saturday’s landslide that destroyed at least two dozen houses in the village of Masara. Heavy rains the past days loosened mud and boulders that cascaded down the mountain slopes, trapping villagers inside their houses, the reports said.

Rescuers have pulled out at least eight bodies from under the debris and that more than a dozen people had survived from the landslide. More than 100 villagers had been evacuated to safety for fear that continues rain could trigger more mudslides in the area.

Male villagers, the reports said, had volunteered to help rescuers search for those who are still missing, but the lack of equipment was hampering the operations.

Many of those who were helping in the search were using only their bare hands to dig through debris, others used makeshift shovels. Maco is a known gold-rush area in the province, where small scale miners, put up thatched houses from near where they are digging for gold.

Authorities have previously banned miners from putting up houses and structures on mountain slopes because of the dangers posed by mudslides. Squatters have mushroomed in the area over the years despite similar incidents in the past. Ten people were also killed by landslide last year in the area. (With reports from Romy Bwaga and Juan Magtanggol)

Walo, Nalibing Ng Buhay Sa Compostela Valley Sa Mindanao

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / September 7, 2008) – Marami ang hinihinalang nasawi sa bayan ng Maco sa Compostela Valley na kung saan ay nalibing sa landslide ang mga kabahayan dahil sa patuloy na pagbuhos ng ulan sa Mindanao.

Sa inisyal ng ulat ng militar ay walong bangkay na ang nakuha mula pa nuong Sabado at mahigit sa isang dosenang iba ang nailigtas mula sa mga bitak-bitak na lupa at putik.

Ngunit marami pa ang inulat na nawawala at hindi mabatid kung sila’y nakaligtas o nalibing rin ng buhay. Tinatatayang mahigit sa dalawang dosenang bahay ang nabaon sa lupa ng gumuho ang malaking bahagi ng kabundukan sa nasabing bayan.

Mahigit sa 100 mga residente na ang nagsilikas sa takot na gumuho pa ang mga lupa sa Maco. Dikit-dikit ang mga kabahayan sa nasabing bayan dahil sa isa ito sa sinabing “gold rush area” sa lalawigan.

Karamihan sa mga nasa Maco ay mga minero at ilang ulit na rin silang sinabihan ng mga awtoridad na lumikas sa lugar dahil sa nakaambang panganib ng landslide.

Ilang ulit na rin nagkaroon ng landlside sa lalawigan, ngunit mas matindi ang tawag ng salapi na makukuhan sa mga minahan kaysa kaligtasan ng marami. (Mindanao Examiner)

7 Dead In Landslide In Southern Philippines

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Aug) – At least 7 people were killed when a landslide Monday buried six houses in the mountain town of Maco in Compostela Valley province, south of the Philippines, authorities said.

Authorities said three people were also missing and believed among those buried by mud and debris loosened by days of heavy rains.

Villagers were helping rescuers search for the bodies and that among the dead were children.

The area is a known gold-rush site in the southern Philippines and many have died in the past because of landslide and collapse of mining tunnel. (Mindanao Examiner)