Pnoy's Militia-for-mining Policy Responsible for B'laan Massacre, Deaths of Anti-mining Activists

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan expressed today her outrage and condemnation at the death of Juvy Capion, 27 and her sons Pop, 13 and John, 8 amid heightened military attacks against anti-mining tribal leaders in Mindanao. Juvy is the wife of B’laan leader Daguil Capion, know to have been opposing the operation of Sagittarius Mines Inc in their area.

“This massacre is the latest of the series of attacks against indigenous and lumad leaders and communities opposing the large scale operation of multinational mining corporations like Sagittarius Mines Inc,” said Ilagan.

“One year after the death of anti-mining activist Fr. Pops Tentorio the deaths of environmental activists in Mindanao continue. Indigenous families, including children are now direct targets in the Aquino government’s continued defense of mining corporations.”

The Gabriela solon also said the massacre which highlights the Aquino government’s low regard and disdain over indigenous peoples defending ancestral lands from unhampered mining and plunder also comes amid the commemoration of Indigenous People’s Month.

“Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan and his policy of deploying military units and militias for the use of mining corporations has resulted to the evacuation and displacement of thousands, the deaths of indigenous leaders and activists and the continued plunder of our mineral resources. We hold President Aquino responsible for these continued attacks.”

“We condemn this atrocity and join calls for justice and demand the immediate pull out of all troops in ancestral territories and mining communities,” concluded Ilagan. #