UNLAD Condemns Entry of Chinese Ships and Mining Equipment in MacArthur, Leyte
- Alyansa Tigil Mina
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
We, UNLAD-Leyte members and concerned residents of MacArthur, Leyte, vehemently condemn the sudden appearance of Chinese ships and heavy mining equipment in Barangay San Pedro and Barangay Maya. Without our knowledge and consent, vessels and machinery have entered our area – a clear violation of our right to know and be informed of any project in our municipality.
Added to this, we also suspect that Chinese citizens are being hired illegally by the MacArthur Iron Projects Corporation (MIPC).
These recent developments signal a grave threat to our livelihoods and environment, as these unwelcome strangers undertake mining in our farmlands and pollute our water sources. Our food, our waters, and our way of life are placed in terrible danger.
Despite the suspension of iron black sand mining projects in our locality by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) due to the destruction of our rice irrigation system by MIPC, mining operations persist. We now ask: What happened to the suspension order? Why has MIPC failed to repair our irrigation canals? Why is MIPC still being allowed to mine our territory?
We demand that mining operations cease immediately and that the responsible parties remove their equipment from our area. We call on concerned authorities to uphold the suspension order by MGB.
Furthermore, we demand that MIPC be held accountable for the destruction of the irrigation canals of rice farmers. Compensation must be given to farmers for the damage done upon their land and produce.
Lastly, we call on President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to immediately investigate the presence of Chinese workers hired by MIPC. We suspect that not only are our natural resources under threat, but so is our nation’s sovereignty as well.
