CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Militant groups are filing this Tuesday before the Supreme Court a petition questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 10083 which created the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco).
“Sen. Edgardo Angara and other members of the Angara syndicate behind the anti-people and anti-environment Apeco project should prepare for a major and long-running legal battle in the Supreme Court as we take this issue to the high tribunal,” said Salvador France, vice chairperson of the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).
France said that before the filing of the case, a “planking” protest will be held at the Senate to demand the rejection of the P332.5 million budget for Apeco operations next year.
He also said Anakpawis party list Rep. Rafael Mariano will also file a bill at the House of Representatives calling for the repeal of RA 10083, also known as the Apeco law.
Apart from Pamalakaya, the Supreme Court petitioners would also include the Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora (Pamana), the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) and the umbrella alliance Resist Apeco! Defend Aurora Movement.
The petitioners said the Apeco law violates the constitutional provision on social justice and “promotes clear violation of national patrimony.”
“Phase 2 of the Apeco project entails landgrabbing of 12,427 hectares of prime agricultural lands in San Ildefonso Peninsula and will adversely affect 5,430 residents in five barangays and will eventually displace 22,043 residents of Casiguran and nearby towns, mostly indigenous people, fisherfolk and farmers,” France said.
The petitioners also said only five of the 11-man board of directors of Apeco have remained active and have been working closely with the Angaras on Apeco projects.
Pamalakaya noted the project will affect fishing activities and rice production in Casiguran and Northern Aurora.
“Farming villages of Dibet and Esteves, which are considered the rice granary in Casiguran and made up of 493 hectares of productive rice farm will be converted into support infrastructures for Apeco,” France noted.
Pamalakaya said that the P2-billion fund spent for the Apeco since 2007 should also be accounted for and that Congress should not release the P332.5 million budget allocated for the project next year.
