Statement by Allan Laird for the Canadian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs International Trade. (May 18, 2005). Laird was a Project Manager in the Kingking Mines Inc. project where TVI Pacific held a 25% interest. Laird reports that approximately $2 million was provided to terror/insurgent groups during the course of this project and that TVI was aware of these expenditures. A memo containing an itemized schedule of meetings and a record of illegal payments is included in his statement.

The Sierra Club has published an in-depth article regarding the Kingking project, to read it click here.

Affidavits from two Tabayo Barangay Officials regarding the pro-TVI Barangay Resolution that was allegedly passed on September 18, 2002. (March 24, 2003).

Petition of the CADT holders. (May 2005) This is a petition from the recognized CADT holders supporting Timuay Anoy’s legitimacy as a leader and stating their opposition to the mining operations of TVI on the sacred Mt. Canatuan. The petition is currently underway, but over 90 people have already signed.

Affidavits and Photos of a Reported Tailings Spill in Canatuan. Area residents reported seeing a tailings leak on April 15, 2005. Dead fish and eels were found in Lumot Creek after the incident.

Proceedings of the Environmental Forum held on November 12, 2005 in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. These are the proceedings from a community hearing which was attended by members of the Local Government Unit, the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao, TVI Representatives, the Media, Representatives from the EMB, DENR, and MGB, and numerous community representatives. The proceedings clearly show the anti-mining stance of the local community. Also read our update.

Petitions and Statements

Contrary to the claims of TVI, there is strong opposition to the mining company in the local communities. The people have been petitioning the Government to oust TVI since its arrival in the area. We have included a sample of these petitions below.

Declaration of Position on Mining and the Environment from the Barangay Officials in Siocon. (September 22, 2003). This statement was signed by 181 Barangay Officials in Siocon and states their opposition to mining in the area.

Multi-Sector Petition Against TVI (April 5, 1996). A petition from 1996 where representatives from different religious groups and organizations in Siocon stated their opposition to TVI.

Singgit Siocon! (January 8, 2004) A petition signed by 936 Siocon residents. The text reads, “Shout Siocon! Stop mining in Canatuan and the Destruction of the Environment!

Multi-Sector Declaration of Siocon residents opposing TVI. (November 12, 2004) The declaration calls for the stop of TVI’s mining operations, the cancellation of their MPSA, and the dismantling of the SCAA. The declaration is signed by representatives of the Muslim, Subanon, Catholic and Protestant communities and also representatives from various livelihood associations.

Statement from the Siocon Fish Farmers Association (2004). This statement from SFFA asks the Government to stop all mining activities because it is ruining the rivers and killing the fish. The statement also notes that they have noticed a marked decline in fish catches and water quality after TVI began their operations.

Statement from the Siocon Farmers Federation. This is a statement signed by 255 farmers asking for the cessation of all environmentally destructive activities, especially mining, for the good of their land.

Petition from the Residents of Sitio Padwan, Barangay Candiz. (December 6, 2004). A petition from the residents of Padwan opposing TVI’s operations on Mt. Canatuan and requesting the cancellation of their Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).

Resolution from the Rice and Corn Millers Association (April 10, 2004). A resolution from the Siocon Rice and Corn Millers Association opposing TVI’s mining operations.

Statements to the Canadian Parliament regarding TVI operations in Canatuan

DCMI and a other international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have submitted letters to a Subcommittee of Canadian Parlimentarians in preperation for a hearing on May 18, 2005. Read what they have to say.

Letter from DCMI.

Letter from PIPLinks (Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links - Based in the UK)

Statement from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCB).

Indigenous Rights Concerns and TVI Pacific Inc.’s Mining Operations in the Philippines. A brief from Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives.

A number of other Siocon residents have also made statements about TVI’s presence in their area. Below are some of the most recent statements that were written for presentation to a Sub-Committee of Canadian Members of Parliament on March 23, 2005.

Statement of Ofelia Davi (Siocon Resident and Indigenous People’s Facilitator)

Statement of Bishop Jose Manguiran (Bishop of the Diocese of Dipolog)

Statement of Timuay Jose ‘Boy’ Anoy (Traditional Leader of the Canatuan Subanon)

Statement of Timuay Noval Lambo (In Response to the Letter of Juanito Tumangkis)

Statement of Godofredo Galos (President of the Federation of Farmers in Siocon)

Statement of Mobin Abunawas (on Behalf of the Muslims of SPDAAL)

Minutes from the Parliamentary Hearing in Canada regarding TVI. On March 23, 2005, the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Government had a hearing where they heard from Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada and Godofredo Galos and Onsino Mato of Siocon. A number of statements from other Canatuan residents were also submitted.

Affidavits from Residents

Affidavits from Canatuan Residents regarding TVI’s theft of mining tailings from small scale miners (SSM). TVI says that they ‘bought’ the tailings off of the SSM’s after fair negotiations. We have been told repeatedly that this was not the case.

Affidavits from Siocon residents protesting TVI using their names in a statement of support. (2004) TVI has claimed that it has the signatures of over 600 residents statement support for their operations. We have succeeded thus far in locating eight of the ’signatories’ and told us that they never intended to sign anything in support of the company. Many of the other ’signatories’ cannot be found because they come from outside the area.

Report from the SSAI regarding Johnson Lingala and harassment from a TVI guard. (August 17, 2001) According to this report, Johnson was shot at and then had his personal property confiscated. A medical report is included.

Affidavit from Onsino Mato detailing threats received from a TVI guard. (June 17, 2003)

Affidavits, Medical Reports, and Pictures from the Lituban River Incident. (November 30, 2004) Three Siocon residents experienced painful and itchy rashes after bathing and fishing downstream from TVI’s operations. To read our update, click here.

Documents Pertaining to the Canatuan Subanon

Letter from Timuay Danny Limba to Mayor Cesar Soriano regarding Attny. Bernardo. (February 5 2002). This is a letter from a leader in the Sibuco area detailing how Attny. Bernardo (Attorney for TVI’s SSAI) “betrayed the trust of the entire Subanon tribe in Sibuco”.

Joint Affidavit from Onsino Mato, Lino Ti-i, and Pancho Tumangkis regarding the ‘Council of Elders’ meeting on October 12, 2002. (January 27, 2003). This is an affidavit regarding the highly contested ‘Council of Elders’ meeting where the Subanon allegedly gave consent for TVI to operate on their lands.

Urgent Memo from the NCIP Requesting the Temporary Halt of TVI Operations. (May 4, 2004) This memo requests the halt of TVI operations based on a number of concerns from the Canatuan area. One of the concerns that the NCIP states is the fact that Mt Canatuan is a sacred place to the Subanon community. This is contrary to the claims of TVI who say that Canatuan is not sacred.

The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim. (October 21, 1997) This document gives the Canatuan Subanon rights to manage the claimed territory based primarily on its indigenous knowledge systems and traditional practices provided that the actions reflect the principles and objectives of sustainable development as reflected in the Ancestral Domain Management Plan. A list of rights and responsibilities are attached.

List of Canatuan Tribal Leaders as recognized by the NCIP.

NCIP Resolution to grant the Canatuan Subanon with the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title. (April 11, 2003). This document recognizes Timuay Jose Anoy as the Tribal leader of the recipients of the CADT and also makes reference to the Visayan families who are included as recipients of the claim.

The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title. (April 11, 2003) This document gives the Canatuan Subanon the right to have and hold in ownership and the right to develop, control, and utilize collectively the Ancestral Domain.

NCIP letter to Timuay Anoy regarding TVI’s lack of Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) (January 23, 2003). This letter is in response to Anoy’s inquiry regarding whether or not TVI has FPIC (a requisite under Philippine Law) to operate within the CADT area. The NCIP answers that their records indicate no FPIC.

Certificate of Registration for the Apu Manglang Glupa Pusaka. This Certifies that the AMGP is a registered organization with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP). The AMGP was formerly known as the Siocon Subanon Association Inc (SSAI). They changed their name to distinguish themselves from the pro-TVI group which hijacked their name.

Genealogy of Timuay Jose ‘Boy’ Anoy. Red items have been added by DCMI.

Documents Regarding the Canatuan School

TVI claims that they built a new school in Canatuan as a show of good will towards the residents. However, the story is not quite that simple.

Resolution from the original SSAI requesting a new school. (August 28, 2001) A resolution from the Siocon Subanon Association Inc. requesting that the Mayor donate materials for a school.

Resolution from the Canatuan Parent - Teacher Community Association requesting a new school. (January 23, 2003). Excepts from the regular meeting of the PTCA containing a resolution to request a new school building from the Mayor.

Petition for the Non-Transfer of the School from Sitio Canatuan, Siocon to inside the TVI compound. (July 12, 2004). Petition by the PTCA and the SSAI to the Division Superintendent requesting the return of their school materials.

Other Miscellaneous Documents

Affidavit from Josie Gonzaga regarding threats and harassment from SCAA and SSAI - 2 members. (December 2004). Josie is a Visayan woman who lives very close to TVI’s mining operation.

Eviction notice to Mr. & Mrs. Ireneo Calibo. Eviction notice to Mr. and Mrs. Leosjolando Gonzaga. These notices were served to residents of Mt. Canatuan from TVI in February 2005. After these were served the issue gained a higher visibility and TVI has seemed to back away from the issue.

Following the eviction notices, 111 Canatuan residents filed a petition to Governor Yebes requesting his support in the protection of their lands, farms, and livelihoods. Read the petition

Letter from the Philippine National Police to the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (March 31, 2004). In this letter the PNP requests the DENR to suspend TVI’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) pending a review and investigation because they fear that TVI’s presence will cause environmental damage and loss of lives and property.

Letter from the Philippine National Police to TVI. (June 2, 1999) Requesting the release of various school materials which were confiscated by TVI’s SCAA.

TVI Pacific Inc. was nominated for a Public Eye Award on Davos Award 2005 in the category of Human Rights. To find out more about these awards go to the Public Eye on Davos page.

To see the nomination, click here.

Visit our past photo gallery to see new pictures of Canatuan.