The farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the fisher’s group Pambansang Kilusan ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) issued separate statements expressing dislike for Cimatu as replacement for Gina Lopez who was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
“Cimatu was among the pioneers and implementers of the counterinsurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya 1 during the Arroyo regime that killed hundreds of farmers, workers and activists including anti-mining advocates. Cimatu will definitely defend and kill to protect the interests of largescale local and foreign mining companies,” said KMP secretary general Antonio Flores.
On the other hand, Pamalakaya noted that “historically, military orientation does not safeguard the environment and the people but rather protect destructive mining operations of giant mining companies in the countrysides.”
“We are not blind to the fact that giant mining companies fund military forces to protect their billions of investments at the cost of the environment and democratic rights of the people affected by their mining operations,” Pamalakaya said.
KMP also lambasted Malacanang’s “militarization of the civilian bureaucracy.”
“First, General Ricardo Visaya was appointed at the National Irrigation Administration. Now Cimatu is poised to lead the DENR. Cimatu at the DENR will only work well for the benefit of mining companies. This is a big letdown and undermining of what Gina Lopez has started in the environment agency,” the KMP statement said.
Flores said “Cimatu will only serve as the head guard of the internal defense force of large-scale mining firms. We do not want a DENR that will aid mining corporations in massive land grabbing of ancestral lands and the wanton destruction of the environment. His appointment should be blocked and rejected.”
“Aside from approving mining permits, Cimatu will even coordinate with the AFP in the deployment of military and civilian defense units to protect mining companies and quell the people’s resistance to anti-people mining operations and other development aggression projects,” Flores warned.
“Malacanang’s political power play and deliberate placement of more ‘rightists’ in the Cabinet in attempt to overrun known progressive officials like Judy Taguiwalo, Rafael Mariano and Liza Maza will be at the detriment and disadvantage of the people,” the KMP leader also said.
“Could it be that President Duterte was already considering Cimatu for the DENR post even before the Commission on Appointments rejected Gina Lopez,” Flores asked.
He said “Malacanang ‘parked’ Cimatu for the DENR post. Two weeks ago, Duterte announced that Cimatu will join his Cabinet and was appointed as special envoy for OFW refugees but would be transferred to a busier post.”
