First of two parts The assault of massive corporate mining will surely be met with strong resistance by indigenous communities who have continued to nurture and protect their territory. The people will not simply allow the devastation of their land and resources in the name of profit which has no value in their life. By…
Northern Dispatch
Sacked Union Leader Jailed by Benguet Police
The strike at a big mining firm already ended last Sept. 10 with both the union and management promising not to take retaliatory action. Nineteen union officers, however, got dismissed by the company. Worse, a union officer was arrested and detained last Oct. 3. His case? A police officer accused him of stealing a cellular…
Day One of Ramadhan in Baguio
The Ramadhan is an occasion to reflect and find peace and unity, not only among Muslims but also those who respect Muslim tradition. A Muslim leader clarified, however, that before peace and unity can be achieved, there should be equality first. BY LYN V. RAMO Northern Dispatch (Nordis) BAGUIO CITY — Inuray and four of…
Observing Ramadhan in Baguio
Ramadhan is a special month of the year when over a billion Muslims all over the world consecrate their faith in worship or meditation. Politicians can learn a lesson or two from this Muslim practice, especially now that the country is facing a lingering political and economic crisis. BY LYN V. RAMO Northern Dispatch BAGUIO…
Progressive Solons Back Lepanto Mines Strike
After deliberating on the impeachment complaint, is it possible that the House of Representatives will now discuss an issue as local as the plight of striking workers at the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMCo)? Progressive lawmakers hope so. BY ABIGAIL BENGWAYAN Northern Dispatch BAGUIO CITY — Party-list groups Bayan Muna (BM, or People First), Gabriela…
NPA Guerrilla’s Mutilated Body Found in Baguio
Do rebels who die in encounters end up with mutilated bodies? This appears to be a normal occurrence for the police who, reports show, do not seem to know the rules of war and engagement, but how does one explain it to the grieving relatives? BY ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW Northern Dispatch BAGUIO CITY — Joe…
Baguio Urban Poor Push for Charter Change
After the impeachment complaint, the members of the House of Representatives are expected to deliberate on the 2006 national budget and to start the so-called great debate on changing the 1987 Constitution. It may interest legislators to know that the urban poor in Baguio City are calling for charter change, but of a different kind.…
Lepanto Mining Firm Not Environment-Friendly – UP Baguio, SLU scholars
For months now, Lepanto mining company is locked in a protracted labor strike by its employees. But there’s another issue raised by university-based doctors and scientists on the firm’s mining operations. Their findings of water samples take from river systems where the company’s mine tailings are allegedly dumped showed very high cyanide, chromium and lead.…
Cordillera Rights Watch Demands Soldiers’ Pullout from Strike-Bound Lepanto
As support for the striking workers at the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) continues to pour in, soldiers have decided to increase their presence in the area but using as an excuse the sightings of New People’s Army rebels in nearby areas where the strike was being held. BY ABI T. BENGWAYAN Northern Dispatch Posted…
Lepanto Files Raps vs Mayor for ‘Assisting’ Workers
Mining giant Lepanto Consolidated, beset by a two-month old strike, filed charges of corrupt practices under Republic Act 3019 against the Mankayan mayor and his secretary because they gave the striking workers permit to rally. BY Artemio A. Dumlao Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat.com La Trinidad, Benguet— Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (Lepanto) has filed charges…
Police Break Up Miners’ Picket, Nab 2 Workers
At around 5:30 a.m., Aug. 6, over 100 armed police officers led by Maj. Brent Madiaco and Capt. Richard Abon dispersed striking workers picketing the Tubo gate. During the dispersal operations, police arrested Douglas Farnican and Francisco Dida. Workers believe that the arrests were part of a plan hatched by the PNP and the management…