WENDELL TALIBONG
DXDD, CBCP WEB
Online news contributor
DIPOLOG CITY--Bishop Jose Manguiran vehemently denies report he shifted his views and turned into an advocate of sustainable mining in the Diocese of Dipolog.
Manguiran, interviewed by DxDD-AM over the phone, said news reports circulating around, which says that now favors sustainable mining in Zamboanga del Sur is not true.
“I categorically deny that that I am in favor of sustainable mining because there’s no such thing sustainable or responsible mining as we have experienced throughout the world,” the bishop said.
He added that mining destroys the environment as it displaces indigenous people, and destroys the food chain.
“Mining uses cyanide and mercury which cause pollution,” he said.
The prelate added he is deeply concerned with the state of the country’s environment as he called on the people to listen to their conscience and vote for ecology-minded candidates in the coming 2010 polls.
Other pro-environment groups also aired their concern as the government hopes to bring a more aggressive mining industry in the coming months and years.
One mining firm, identified by Manguiran, is the Toronto Venture Incorporated (TVI) and its allies had allegedly and consistently harassed the affected communities who continue to oppose its operations due to the negative impact on the environment and human rights.
In 2006, Manguiran, together with Fr. Albert Bael and seven DOPIM-CMI personnel were charged with libel by Canadian Mining firm, TVI Pacific, through a certain Juanito Tumangkis, who claims to be president of Siocon Subanon Association Inc (SSAI) and lawyer Pablo Bernardo.
Tumangkis and Bernardo were said to be well known TVI Pacific associates.
The Dipolog City Prosecutors’ Office dismissed the libel suit against Manguiran and company for lack of merit.
DIPOLOG CITY--Bishop Jose Manguiran vehemently denies report he shifted his views and turned into an advocate of sustainable mining in the Diocese of Dipolog.
Manguiran, interviewed by DxDD-AM over the phone, said news reports circulating around, which says that now favors sustainable mining in Zamboanga del Sur is not true.
“I categorically deny that that I am in favor of sustainable mining because there’s no such thing sustainable or responsible mining as we have experienced throughout the world,” the bishop said.
He added that mining destroys the environment as it displaces indigenous people, and destroys the food chain.
“Mining uses cyanide and mercury which cause pollution,” he said.
The prelate added he is deeply concerned with the state of the country’s environment as he called on the people to listen to their conscience and vote for ecology-minded candidates in the coming 2010 polls.
Other pro-environment groups also aired their concern as the government hopes to bring a more aggressive mining industry in the coming months and years.
One mining firm, identified by Manguiran, is the Toronto Venture Incorporated (TVI) and its allies had allegedly and consistently harassed the affected communities who continue to oppose its operations due to the negative impact on the environment and human rights.
In 2006, Manguiran, together with Fr. Albert Bael and seven DOPIM-CMI personnel were charged with libel by Canadian Mining firm, TVI Pacific, through a certain Juanito Tumangkis, who claims to be president of Siocon Subanon Association Inc (SSAI) and lawyer Pablo Bernardo.
Tumangkis and Bernardo were said to be well known TVI Pacific associates.
The Dipolog City Prosecutors’ Office dismissed the libel suit against Manguiran and company for lack of merit.