Nun, Anti-Mining Advocates File Complaints at the CHR

Marking the anniversary of the signing of the Mining Act of 1995, a Catholic nun and three other environmental activists filed complaints against elements of the 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region XI, March 3.

BY BULATLAT
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Marking the anniversary of the signing of the Mining Act of 1995, a Catholic nun and three other environmental activists filed complaints against elements of the 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region XI, March 3.

Sr. Stella Matutina of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters and three environmental advocates Maria Fe Matibo, Wenceslao Mapa, and Gil Sentinales were illegally arrested, arbitrarily detained, and harassed by the 67th IB in the Brgy. Hall of Taytayan, Cateel, Davao Oriental.

The victims were asleep at the Brgy. Taytayan Hall after a forum with the community on large-scale mining, when the soldiers barged in, held them at gunpoint, and detained them for eight hours.

The victims filed complaints of illegal detention, harassment, grave threats and intimidation against Lt. Ron Soriao, commanding officer of the 67th IB and 20 other soldiers.


Sr. Stella Matutina, OSB talks with CHR XI Director Alberto Sipaco during the filing of the complaints against the elements of the 67the Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army(Contributed photo)

In a statement, the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (SAMIN) denounced the harassment. “It is disturbing that Church people are persecuted for their work with the poor and for Creation,” the group said.

“They have committed no crimes; they have committed no acts that make them deserve detention and being suspected as rebels,” SAMIN said.

Francis Morales, spokesperson of environmental group Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao, said, “The signing of the Mining Act of 1995 meant the dislocation and the appalling human rights violations against Lumads, peasants and advocates over the last 14 years. The government’s chief implementor: the Armed Forces of the Philippines…has sown terror and grave abuse against civilians. Sr. Stella Matutina and Panalipdan advocates are only the latest victims of the military’s intimidation in the face of continued backing of large-scale mining in the region.”

Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM, SAMIN executive secretary, “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is sending out the chilling message that no religious can disrupt their plans of protecting the interests of logging, mining, and big business interests. When shepherds of the flock are themselves the ones under attack, the wolves scatter the flock and make them easy prey. Yes, if they could do it with impunity to Sr. Stella and environmental advocates, they care less about violating the rights of ordinary Filipinos.”

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