Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution urging a Senate Committee to conduct a legislative investigation into the reported mining activities of company in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 459 after the heated encounter between local authorities and Sibuyan residents who formed a human barricade in a bid to stop the Altai Philippines Mining Corporation's (APMC) truck that was carrying nickel ores last February 3.
Under the measure, Hontiveros cited that nickel extraction is "expected to become a touchstone geopolitical issue" in the next years as the nickel ban in Indonesia caused "massive shifts in supply chains of strategic products such as electric vehicles."
She also mentioned that mining corporations in Sibuyan Island have a track record of violence, and the victims are often environmental advocates.
"Most notably anti-mining activist and local municipal councilor Armin Marin who was shot dead at a picket in 2007 allegedly by a security officer of Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corporation (SNPDC)," Hontiveros said.
In 2021, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lifted the cease and desist order against AMPC.
A year later, it granted the mining company the permit to export mineral ore which allowed them to extract 50,000 metric tons.
In January this year, the AMPC began doing activities in Sibuyan which prompted residents to form barricades in order to stop them.
According to environmental groups, the company has no barangay clearance, municipal business permit, DENR foreshore lease contract, and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
But the company clamied that it has secured the necessary permits and licenses to operate in the said area.
