KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Statement
15 February 2024
Justice for the victims of the Maco disaster! Moratorium on mining in the area now!
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment joins the outcry of local communities and civil society groups following the disastrous landslide in Barangay Masara, Maco, Davao De Oro last February 6. As of writing, over 70 people have been confirmed dead due to the disaster, 32 have been injured, while several more remain missing — the worst disasters to hit Davao de Oro in the past ten years.
The fact that mining operations were allowed in the area — declared a “no build zone” following prior landslides in 2007 and 2008 — is cause for immense alarm. While the Razon-owned Apex Mining Corporation Inc., the mining company operating in the area, has attempted to distance itself from claims that its mining operations directly contributed to the landslide, it is clear that the company must still be held accountable for failing to provide adequate measures to protect their workers and nearby communities from disasters such as these. It must still be held accountable for pursuing extensive mining operations in the area despite the hazardous nature of the terrain.
The Maco incident is another stark reminder of how companies have joined forces with complicit government agencies to the detriment of local communities. This has all taken place under the framework of the Mining Act of 1995, which has historically provided little space for communities and civil society to assert their right to a clean, healthy, and safe environment against the profiteering of multinational companies and local oligarchs. As the Marcos Jr. regime continues the business-as-usual export-oriented, profit-driven mining industry in the country, we can only expect more and more disasters like this to occur, especially in the context of worsening climate change.
We join the call for a swift and independent investigation to determine the full extent of accountability on the part of Apex Mining Corporation, as well as all government agencies that permitted large-scale mining operations in the area. In the meantime, we call on a moratorium on Apex Mining’s operations in the area pending this assessment of their operations. We also call for continued support and aid to be provided to the affected families and communities, not only in the short term but also to ensure that the long-term economic and social impacts of the disaster are addressed in the process. #