By MARYA SALAMAT
A threat to life and the environment; a green light to more human rights violations; a case of bullying by the national government on the local government, which banned open pit mining; and most likely, a case of high-stakes corruption. This is how progressive groups describe the granting of an ECC to SMI-Xstrata.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
The results of two environmental investigative missions belie the declaration of President Benigno Aquino III that local communities would decide whether to allow mining operations in their area or not. In South Cotabato, Aquino was reported to have mediated to reverse the decision of the local government disallowing mining in their jurisdiction.