ZAMBALES – Supporters of Compania Minera Tubajon, Inc. (CMTI) gathered yesterday infront of Baloganon Port, Masinloc, here to protest the alleged illegal takeover of the Coto Mines here.
More than 50 people, most of them wearing yellow shirts, denounced the actions of former Masinloc Mayor Jessu Edora and police provincial director, Senior Supt. Rafael Santiago, Jr. after leading the alleged takeover of Coto Mines operations without presenting any legal document to justify their move.
CMTI Security Manager Eduardo Garcia said that on the night of June 22 while they were on duty inside the Coto Mines, police led by Santiago raided the compound and rounded up all their personnel including Chinese nationals on allegations of staying without working permit. The place is about 27 kilometer from the Masinloc town proper.
After a few hours of interrogation, having found no irregularity with the presence of the Chinese nationals, Santiago left, Garcia added.
CMTI Project Manager Romualdo Nunez said that they operate the Coto Mines by virtue of a Mining Permit and Sharing Agreement (MPSA) valid for 25 years and only the national government has the power to grant or revoke it.
Nunez also said “they are committing a big mistake in taking over the mining company.”
“Preparations for the filing of cases with damages are now being readied against the people behind this,” he said.
Earlier reports quoted Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. ordering the Philippine National Police and local municipal officials to stop all small scale mining operations in the province.
Ebdane vowed to put a stop in mining activities during his campaign sortie. Former Zambales Governor Amor Deloso who lost to Ebdane allowed the operations of small scale mining operations province-wide during his one-term-stint. The provincial government is mandated by law to issue mining permits only to small scale mining operations.
Journalists tried to get Edora’s side but his security guard and maid said he was not around when visited at his residence in Masinloc. Meanwhile, Ebdane’s media relations officer Carrie Aspa-Empeno told journalists to interview Santiago instead. As of presstime, reporters have yet to receive reactions from Edora, Ebdane and Santiago.
Meanwhile supporters of CMTI are calling on P-noy to look into the matter as they challenge him to make good with his promise of good governance.
More than 50 people, most of them wearing yellow shirts, denounced the actions of former Masinloc Mayor Jessu Edora and police provincial director, Senior Supt. Rafael Santiago, Jr. after leading the alleged takeover of Coto Mines operations without presenting any legal document to justify their move.
CMTI Security Manager Eduardo Garcia said that on the night of June 22 while they were on duty inside the Coto Mines, police led by Santiago raided the compound and rounded up all their personnel including Chinese nationals on allegations of staying without working permit. The place is about 27 kilometer from the Masinloc town proper.
After a few hours of interrogation, having found no irregularity with the presence of the Chinese nationals, Santiago left, Garcia added.
CMTI Project Manager Romualdo Nunez said that they operate the Coto Mines by virtue of a Mining Permit and Sharing Agreement (MPSA) valid for 25 years and only the national government has the power to grant or revoke it.
Nunez also said “they are committing a big mistake in taking over the mining company.”
“Preparations for the filing of cases with damages are now being readied against the people behind this,” he said.
Earlier reports quoted Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. ordering the Philippine National Police and local municipal officials to stop all small scale mining operations in the province.
Ebdane vowed to put a stop in mining activities during his campaign sortie. Former Zambales Governor Amor Deloso who lost to Ebdane allowed the operations of small scale mining operations province-wide during his one-term-stint. The provincial government is mandated by law to issue mining permits only to small scale mining operations.
Journalists tried to get Edora’s side but his security guard and maid said he was not around when visited at his residence in Masinloc. Meanwhile, Ebdane’s media relations officer Carrie Aspa-Empeno told journalists to interview Santiago instead. As of presstime, reporters have yet to receive reactions from Edora, Ebdane and Santiago.
Meanwhile supporters of CMTI are calling on P-noy to look into the matter as they challenge him to make good with his promise of good governance.
