Diocese reaffirms stand against TVI

Monsignor Jose Manguiran recently reaffirmed the stand of the Diocese of Dipolog against the mining activities of the foreign-based mining company. “No, we have not stopped harping against mining explorations in the province,” the priest disclosed, adding that the entire province would be turned upside down if TVU would be permitted to conduct more mining explorations here.

The Diocese of Dipolog reaffirms its stand against the mining activities of the foreign-based mining company here in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

On the other hand, he criticized the Canadians for sponsoring an art contest among the natives. The bishop pointed out that the art or drawing did not actually depict the real scenario, especially in Canatuan, Siocon. “The drawings did not really picture what is really going on at present,” he said, pointing out that in reality the Canadians were displacing the Subanens from heir ancestral land.

Moreover, he pointed out, the mining companies have turned the natives against one another in order to settle themselves comfortably. He explained that if the Subanens would protest against the presence of the mining company, the latter would organize another group who would also give them permission to mine in order to show that the natives have been divided in their stand. “This clearly means that the miners themselves are instrumental in creating a mess among the natives and dividing them by turning them against each other”, the bishop concluded. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 52)