Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force [ABAKATAF]: www. mindanews.com

BARRICADE. This human barricade in Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte, to stop mining firms from entering their village was set up by the Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force, a multi-sectoral group that has prevented the entry of Anglo American Plc and Manila Mining Corporation since 2001. Residents are now barricading against Philex Mining/ Silangan Mindanao Mining Company claiming they have a resolution banning mining in the area. Photo courtesy of LRC-CDO

Save Anislagan Watershed

Save our Watershed Save our Livelihood Save our Lives
Baranggay Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte, with its clear and pristine sources of water, rich agricultural lands and peaceful surroundings, it has the trappings of a perfect scene from a postcard. The community of Anislagan is enjoying a simple and idyllic life, not with too much prosperity but enough to make them have a decent living with their farms, made lush and greener by way of irrigation from the clean water source.
Far from Perfect
But all these will about to change into something darker. With Surigao del Norte touted as one of the richest provinces in terms of natural resources, it is now in danger of becoming a barren land, its inhabitants becoming landless farmers and homeless families and individuals. As the province’s gold and nickel deposits are considered first-class, it is a major target for stakeholders in development projects and industrial exploitation.
The Manila Mining Corporation (MMC) was awarded a temporary exploration permit by the government to explore this mineral-rich area. But the move to exploit the area is met with strong opposition. The community itself took initiatives to protect their area, their watershed, their source of food and living, their life. They organized themselves and made various protest actions to save their community. A peoples organization, TASK FORCE ABAKATAF (Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force), was formed. With Task Force ABAKATAF, the community was one in unity for their own protection. From pickets, to rallies, signature campaigns and the likes, they launched various activities for their cause to be heard and supported. Unfortunately, MMC also filed civil and criminal suits against the community members and Task Force ABAKATAF, their own way of silencing oppression.
The Power Play
Despite such publicity and strong opposition, the MMC was granted a renewal of the Exploration Permit (EP-XIII-) on January 17, 2002. Subsequently, MMC struck a joint venture with Anglo-American in April 2007 which created the company Kalayaan Copper Gold Resources Inc. (KCGR). MMC then assigned a portion of its Exploration permit to KCGR, in which, the new company applied for a new Exploration Permit with number EP-XIII-014B covering at least 286 hectares.
The Resistance of the People Continues
The struggle continues for Baranggay Anislagan. With every unity and collective effort, the chance of victory increases. In protecting our own lives, our rights, our livelihood, our land, one has a stronger chance of restoring their land and their lives to them. A peaceful community, with the trappings of a post-card perfect image, Barangay Anislagan should be saved.

Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force [ABAKATAF]

www. mindanews.com

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