CARAGA

PRIMER
on
COAL
2018

(First printed in 2015)

1 --- Caraga Coal Primer

What is coal?
Coal or carbon is the main source
of energy in the world from which
40% of our electricity is generated.
Coal accounted for 22.7 % of the
total generated electricity in the Philippines in 2016.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), 78% of the coal we
use is imported mainly from Indonesia, comprising 99% of total
coal imports in 2017 (Philippine Energy Plan 2017-2030).

Coal can be found in the soil and extracted through open-pit or

tunnel mining. It is black or brownish in color and can be ignited.
It is primarily composed of carbon and different elements such as
hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen. Coal is a fossil fuel formed
from dead plants and animals (peat) after millions of years of heat,
pressure and through natural decomposition process.

The use of coal increased rapidly with the rise of industrialization

in the 18th century. Because it can be mined and burned easily
and cheaply, it became the primary source of electricity of facto-
ries. It is also used as a source of artificial petroleum products and
agricultural fertilizer, for making cement and household products
such as soap.

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What are the effects of
using coal to generate energy?
Coal causes various damaging effects to people and the envi-
ronment, from its mining and transporting to factories, until it is
burned to generate energy and the resulting carbon dioxide (CO2)
emission; and the major source of poisonous or toxic mercury in
the environment.

a. Health
• Reduced life span due to chemical damage to the body
• Diseases such as black lung, bronchitis, asthma and others,
from coal dust
• Heart diseases
• Cancer, brittleness of the bones (osteoporosis), loss of con-
trol of body movement (ataxia), kidney damage
• Damage to the brain and nerves due to toxic mercury
• Environmental destruction affecting health and lives

b. Environment
• Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from explosives used in
mines causing air pollution
• Damage to land rendering it unproductive even after mining
• Destruction of forests and habitats of animals and plants
• Landslides, floods and pollution
• Flow of mine wastes and silt into lakes, rice fields and seas,
permanently damaging the land and ecosystem
• Water pollution due to the formation of sulfuric acid when
minerals are exposed to air and water. This produces acid
when combined with metals on the ground such as copper,
lead and mercury, which flows to the rivers and create more
acid and pollute the water, killing fish, plants and other ani-
mals in lakes and seas
• Silt flows to sources of water for drinking and household
use

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c. Climate change

The earth is naturally wrapped in what is called greenhouse

gases (GHG), acting as a blanket that prevents the release of
heat to control temperature. This is called the greenhouse
effect. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, methane and
ozone compose a large percentage of GHG in the atmosphere.

Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) must be burned to be con-
verted into energy or electricity, releasing carbon dioxide which is
a GHG. Coal releases the highest amount of carbon dioxide among
all fossil fuels.

Industries need significant amounts of energy or electricity to pro-

cess raw materials and manufacture large volumes of products in
factories. Coal is the primary source of such energy at present.

In the massive and rapid burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases

also rapidly accumulate, resulting to global warming or extreme
high temperature of the earth which in turn cause climate change.
60% of the total gas emissions that cause climate change come
from fossil fuels. 44% of CO2 emissions in the world is caused by
the use of coal.

Because of global warming and climate change, many areas in the

world suffer from extreme heat and lack of water (El Niño), while
others suffer from extreme floods (La Niña) caused by the melting
of the polar ice caps. The primary effect of climate change is the
decline in agricultural food production because of its effects on
plants and animals.

In the Philippines, people are increasingly suffering due to climate

change. Seasons have become unpredictable as it now rains in
what used to be dry months. The number of typhoons have also
increased and worsened, destroying houses and livelihood, such
as Typhoon Pablo and Yolanda, while there are also seasons of

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extremely high temperatures such as what we are experiencing
now. Barren farmlands are rapidly increasing resulting to severe
hunger of the people such as what happened to the people of
North Cotabato in April 2016.

What are the other sources of energy?

The development of knowledge resulted to many discoveries on
how to generate clean energy or energy that do not pollute the
earth. These are called renewable energy or energy sources that
can be generated again, do not produce massive CO2 and do not
pollute the air, water and land.

The following are the developed sources of energy:

1. Solar energy: generated from the sun through the use of solar
panels which catch sunshine
2. Wind energy: use of wind turbines to produce energy from
wind movement

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3. Hydropower: use of water pressure from large lakes and
waterways to produce electricity
4. Marine Energy: energy from the sea waves
5. Biofuel: use of plants that produce ethanol biodiesel used for
transportation

To use these energy sources, advanced technology, knowledge

and machinery are needed. Because they are infinite, sustainable
and clean sources of electricity, governments invest significantly
to develop and utilize these sources to build the foundation for
energy security in their countries.

What were the steps taken by the

different countries of the world
to stop climate change?
Countries through the United Nations (UN) acknowledge that the
excess of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from the

6 --- Caraga Coal Primer

use of coal, causes climate change. Thus, the UN has taken the
lead in carrying out measures to solve the problem of climate
change by crafting agreements to decrease the use of coal and
other fossil fuels in countries.

In the world’s history, 90 of the largest companies, 50 of which

are privately owned, produce 63% of the global carbon emissions
since 1751 to 2010. The UN ensured that capitalist countries who
built and run factories using coal for energy in their industries,
attend meetings and agree to take steps to stop climate change.

International Agreements on Climate Change:

1. 1992 Rio Convention: Created the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) seeking to control
greenhouse gases to stop climate change.

2. 1995 COP3 Kyoto Protocol: Formally recognized that global

warming exists and that people created the CO2 that caused
this. The agreement also recognized that capitalist countries
have an obligation to decrease CO2 emissions because they
are responsible for the increase of greenhouse gases. An
agreement was signed in which capitalist countries pledged to
decrease greenhouse gases within the years 2008 and 2012.
It was adapted as an agreement in 1997 and fully enacted in
2005.

3. 2012 DOHA Conference (COP18/CMP8): Set the year 2015 for

the formation of and compliance to a universal agreement on
climate. In this meeting of leaders from different countries, the
further reduction of greenhouse gases was affirmed along with
giving assistance to vulnerable nations to mitigate the effects
of climate change.

4. 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21/CMP11): Created the

first universal agreement on climate containing primarily the
reduction of greenhouse gases in countries by decreasing the
use of coal for energy.
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The 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate is a significant treaty as big
and small countries were accorded specific legal accountabilities
and gave formal guarantees towards the prompt reduction of its
carbon emissions and carbon footprint in the next decade. All
countries who signed, in effect, pledged to decrease by 70% the
current level of carbon emissions by 2025, to slow down earth’s
rising temperature from the critical level of 2 degrees.

The US and China, the worst emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG)

in the world, did not sign any of the international agreements on
climate change, from the UNFCC which was signed in 1992 to the
creation of an agreement to reduce the use of coal for energy in
2015 during the Paris Climate Conference.

What are the largest companies in the world

that produce and use coal?
It is clear that the US and China refused to sign the agreements to
decrease the use of coal, because it affects their businesses.
Coal is the cheapest source of energy for the factories of big multi-
national companies. Using coal for energy lowers production costs
thereby increasing profits.

According to the 2017 Statistical Review of World Energy, China

is the biggest coal producer followed by the US, Australia, India,
Indonesia and Russia. However, as China and the US have great
need for coal for energy and industry, the two nations are also its
major importers.

The large factories of companies of capitalist countries, especially

the US, are in China, thus, it is no wonder that it is also the big-
gest coal producer and consumer. Aside from the US and China
being trade partners, many US companies have factories in China
because of its cheap labor force.

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US companies with big investments in China:
• General Motors, have a Buick plant in Shanghai
• Motorola
• General Electric
• Arco, is exploring for oil in the South China Sea
• Coca Cola, have 40 factories
• Hewlett-Packard
• Proctor and Gamble, have a shampoo
factory
• Amoco, polyester plant that supplies
clothing factories
• United Technologies

Aside from this, coal trading with other countries is also big
business. According to the World Coal Association, the major coal
exporting countries in 2016 were Australia, Indonesia, Russia,
Colombia and the US; while the major importers were Japan,
India, China, Korea and Taipei.

What is the Rodrigo Duterte

government’s policy on energy?
Similar to the previous Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) and BS
Aquino governments, the energy policy of the Duterte administra-
tion is in line with globalization. According to the 2017-2040 Phi-
lippine Energy Plan (PEP) of the DOE, it will “…strengthen RA 9136
or the EPIRA Law.” This means that it will continue privatizing elec-
tricity. EPIRA opened the energy
industry to foreign investments
and this is among the 8 Strategic
Direction for implementation by
the DOE which is to “Foster stron-
ger international relations and
partnership.” This means that the
9 --- Caraga Coal Primer
DOE will encourage foreign business to invest in the energy indus-
try from resource generation or mining, to electricity generation.
To ensure its implementation, President Duterte issued Executive
Order (EO 30) last June 2017. EO 30 established the Energy Invest-
ment Coordinating Council (EICC) to facilitate the processing of
Energy Projects and investments “with national significance.”

What are the Duterte government’s

policies on the use of coal as
primary source of the country’s energy?
According to President Duterte, “There is still so much coal that
civilization can use for the next 50 to 70 years. And to be worrying
about pollution, well, we just have to come to terms with that in
our time, in our generation, it is really what it is. There is nothing
you can do about it. (Manila Standard 1/29/2017).” He said this
at the ground breaking ceremonies of the coal plant of Alsons
Consolidated Resources Corp. in Saranggani.

In line with this, the Duterte government intends to increase coal

production from 28.3 MMMT in 2016-2017 to 43.2 MMMT by

10 --- Caraga Coal Primer

2018-2020. This signifies a relevant increase in the number of coal
mines. In fact, it has targeted 33 new coal operating contracts
(COC) to advance to its development and production phase within
the years 2018 to 2020.

Who are the big investors in

energy/electricity generation?
The biggest electricity investors are also the biggest capitalists in
the Philippines. San Miguel Power is the biggest electricity firm in
the country. It is owned by Danding Cojuangco, former President
BS Aquino’s uncle.

It is followed by Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitiz family and by

First Gen Corp., owned by the Lopezes, who also own ABS-CBN;
Global Business Power Corp., owned by George Ty owner of
Metrobank; DMCI Power Corp. owned by the Consunji family one
of the richest in the country who also owns Semirara Mining &
Power Corp. and DMCI Mining Corp. The Ayala family and Henry
Sy family of SM malls are new players in power generation.

FDC Utilities, Inc. (FDCUI) is the latest to enter the power gene-
ration business. FDCUI is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development
Corporation (FDC). Filinvest is a conglomerate known for its real
estate business and owns East West Bank. It is also into the sugar
business through Cotabato Sugar Central Co. Inc., Davao Sugar
Central Co. and High Yield Sugar Farms Inc. which is one of the
largest sugar planters in Mindanao. FDC is owned by the Gotia-
nun family of Cebu. In 2016, President Duterte himself attended
the inauguration of FDC Misamis Power Corp. (FDC Misamis),
a 405-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis
Oriental.

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Why are coal miners interested in Caraga?
In addition to nickel, gold and chromite, Caraga also has one of
the largest coal reserves in the country which is being targeted for
mining to fuel the coal powered energy plants.

From 2011 – 2015, the Department of Energy (DoE) under the

Aquino administration, launched two (2) Philippine Energy Con-
tracting Rounds (PECR) for coal, opening Caraga lands for coal
mining. These areas were in addition to the areas already offered
by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration through three (3) PECRs
in 2003-2010.

Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 (PECR4)

This was launched in December 1, 2011 with thirty eight (38)

areas on offer, eight (8) of which were in Caraga.

Timberwolves Resources, Inc. acquired a coal operating

contract (COC) for an area in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. In
December 14, the DOE awarded it with nine (9) coal explora-
tion contracts through “direct negotiations” (without passing
through bidding at the PECR). Two (2) of these exploration
contracts were in Surigao del Sur and Gigaquit, Surigao del
Norte in Caraga.

In 2013, PNOC-Exploration Corporation and Empire Asia Min-

ing Corporation acquired COCs in areas within Trento, Agusan
del Sur and Lingig, in Surigao del Sur while SKI Mining Corpo-
ration was awarded COC for an area in Trento, Agusan del Sur.

In 2014, fifteen (15) companies were awarded COCs in Cara-

ga, most of which were in areas within Surigao del Sur. Eleven
(11) of the fifteen (15) were for exploration while four (4)
were for mine development and production. Bislig Venture
Construction & Dev’t Corp. was the only company to ope-

12 --- Caraga Coal Primer

 rate its mine because communities strongly opposed mining
of areas targeted by Abacus, Great Wall and Benguet Corp.
Areas targeted for mining were located within the Andap Val-
ley Complex and affected Lumad communities who refused
to sign a Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC). Furthermore,
the revolutionary movement in these areas also declared its
opposition to coal mining.

Exploration phase (as of 2014)

1. Timberwolves Resources Inc.
2. PNOC-Exploration Corp.
3. ASK Mining and Energy Corp.
4. SKI Mining Corp.
5. Empire Asia Mining Corp.
6. Titan Mining & Energy Corp.
7. Blackgems Resources & Energy Inc.
8. MEGA Philippines, Inc.
9. CoalBlack Mining Corp.
10. Philsaga Mining Corp.
11. Sahi Mining Corp

Production & Development Phase (as of 2014)

1. Abacus Coal Exploration & Development Corp.
2. Great Wall Mining & Power Corp.
3. Benguet Corp.
4. Bislig Ventures Construction & Development Corp.

Philippine Energy Contracting Round 5 (PECR5)

PECR5 was launched in 2014 offering an additional fifteen

(15) areas, nine (9) of which were in Caraga. In 2015 the DOE
awarded COCs to three (3) coal mining companies:

1. CoalBlack Mining Corp. for Area 2 in Tandag and Tago,

Surigao del Sur;
2. Philsaga Mining Corp. for Area 6 in Bunawan, Agusan del
Sur and Area 7 in Bunawan and Trento, Agusan del Sur;
13 --- Caraga Coal Primer
 3. Sahi Mining Corp. for Area 4 in Butuan City, Agusan del
Norte and Sibagat, Agusan del Sur; Area 5 in Butuan City,
Agusan del Norte and Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

In November 2015, Abacus Corp. allegedly held community

consultations and acquired a FPIC in San Miguel, Cagwait,
Tago and Tandag City at a time when massive evacuations due
to military operations, happened.

In 2015, DOE listed fourteen (14) awarded COCs in Caraga

covering at the minimum, 42,000 hectares. Each COC have no
less than three (3) coal blocks with each coal block comprising
1,000 hectares.

2017
According to the June 2017 DOE List of COC Holders, there are
seventeen (17) companies mining coal in Caraga. Benguet Corp.,
SMART Mining, Great Wall and Abacus Mining are in the deve-
lopment and production phase. Among the four (4) companies,
only SMART Mining started operations in Bislig as it only took
over mining operations from Bislig Ventures, while the three (3)
were not able to start because the Lumad in the area opposed the
operation.

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The coal mining areas of Benguet, Great Wall and Abacus Corp.
are located within the Andap Valley Complex encompassing
the municipalities of Lianga, San Miguel, Tandag, Cagwait and
Marihatag in Surigao del Sur. Meanwhile, thirteen (13) coal mining
companies with COCs are in its exploration phase in Caraga. These
thirteen (13) companies are included in the DOE list of companies
that will go into its development and production phase.

Under the Duterte government, the DOE plans to launch PECRs

every two (2) years and facilitate the processing of COC applica-
tions and other needs to speed up coal mining.

Who are the known owners of coal mines?

The Philippine National Oil Company subsidiary PNOC-Exploration
Corporation (PNOC-EC), is a government-owned and controlled
corporation (GOCC) or state owned.

44 % of Benguet Corporation is owned by the Romualdez family

of Imelda Marcos. The Romualdezes are close allies of former
president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They also own Marcventures
Mining & Development Company (MMDC) which operates a nickel
mine in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. It has been reported that Henry
Sy, owner of SM Malls and the richest Filipino, is one of the own-
ers of Benguet Corp.

Abacus Consolidated Resources & Holdings Inc. created Abacus

Coal (AbaCoal) to focus on the full-scale exploration of 7 coal
blocks in Surigao del Sur. Lodestar and Music Semi-conductors
purchased Abacoal from Abacus Consolidated Resources Hold-
ings Inc. Lodestar Holdings Investment Corp. reportedly has an
agreement with Oriental Vision Mining Phils. Corp. (OVMPC) for
the same mine. OVMPC is owned by Salvador B. Zamora II, one of
the owners of Nickel Asia Corporation which owns four (4) nickel
mines and THPAL plant in Surigao del Norte.

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Philsaga Mining Corp,. one of the biggest gold miners in the
Philippines, is a subsidiary of Australian mining company Medusa
Mining Ltd.. It acquired nine (9) COCs covering 9,000 hectares in
Agusan del Sur adjacent to their gold mines.

What is the stand of the

people of Caraga on mining?
The people of Caraga strongly oppose large scale and destruc-
tive mining. The Lumad communities of the Kahugpungan sa
mga Lumadnong Organisasyon (KASALO)-Caraga are firm in their
refusal to sign the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) to prevent
the mines from operating, despite having been awarded COCs by
the government. Included among those opposing mining are the
twenty two (22) Lumad communities of MAPASU whose ancestral
land is in the Andap Valley Complex, fourteen (14) communities
of Tipjungan, three (3) of Tandawan and five (5) communities of
Sidlak. These organizations are in eleven (11) municipalities of
Surigao del Sur. In Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, the
Lumad communities of Kayapan-Amihan and Apogan refuse to
allow the entry of large scale mining in their ancestral lands.

Peasant organizations under the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas

(KMP)-Caraga, church people and environmental organizations
under CaragaWatch are actively campaigning against large scale
mining and have been exposing the violations of environmental
and safety rules committed by operating mining companies in the
region.

In addition, Caraga is known to have a strong revolutionary move-

ment which declared its opposition against large scale mining,
destroying mining equipment that is used by these companies.

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What is the connection between militarization,
Oplan Kapayapaan and coal mining?
The Duterte administration has been deploying an increasing
number of military troops in Caraga to implement Oplan Kapa-
yapaan, to clear the way for the entry of coal mining. Its primary
target are areas known to strongly oppose coal mining.

Oplan Kapayapaan is the National Internal Security Plan (NISP) of

the Duterte administration. It utilizes the Whole of Nation Initia-
tive (WNI) where civilian agencies of the government such as the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Depart-
ment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department
of Education (DepEd) and its Commission on Higher Education
(CHEd), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ)
and local government units (LGU), NGOs, academe and churches,
are used for its counter-insurgency campaign. The services these
agencies and organizations deliver are used for counter-insurgency
and are always launched with the military and police in atten-
dance. Its objective is to show that the government is responding
to the socio-economic problems of the people and is developing
the communities.

Their primary targets

are Lumad commu-
nities which oppose
the entry of mining,
expansion of plan-
tations and energy
development, which
destroy the ancestral
lands and divide the
community.

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Oplan Kapayapaan is based on the war tactics of the US and the
US Counter Insurgency (COIN) guide, designed to eliminate oppo-
sition to government programs allowing the plunder of national
patrimony and sovereignty. It targets civilian communities in the
implementation of activities instead of the NPA. Different go-
vernment agencies accompany the AFP. The military operations
of Oplan Kapayapaan, particularly in the Andap Valley Complex
in Surigao del Sur, Alegria and Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte and
Kitcharao and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, are launched to
ensure the entry of companies already awarded with COCs and
are raring to operate.

Under Oplan Kapayapaan, officers of military units pressure local

government units including government agencies, into coope-
rating with them to erode people’s resistance against destructive
mining.

It has also intensified its psywar operations by instigating infight-

ing among the Lumad. It has intoxicated fake, NCIP-appointed
and aristocratic Datu with power and bribed them with money
by promising them personal benefits from the entry of mining in
ancestral lands. It has intensified the arming of the Lumad para-
military groups and let them loose to attack those who are de-
fending ancestral lands against destruction and plunder by mines
and plantations. The military and police have been spreading lies
and fake news, attacking progressive organizations and individuals
through social media.

Under Oplan Kapayapaan, the AFP continue to organize, arm and

use bandit paramilitaries similar to what was done under BS Aqui-
no’s Oplan Bayanihan. It has become more brutal and has wrought
havoc on the people in the communities that oppose mining.
Paramilitaries are utilized so that the military can wash their hands
of the brutal human rights violations committed against their per-
ceived enemies such as killing, as the bandit paramilitaries were
the ones committing these crimes. The connection between the

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AFP and these groups, however, is clear. The organizing and arm-
ing of such groups in Surigao del Sur especially within the Agusan
and Surigao del Sur boundaries, have intensified.

The most notorious and scorned among these bandit paramili ta-
ries are the following:
• Calpet Egua group: Prosperidad-Bayugan, Agusan del Sur;
Barobo-San Miguel, Surigao del Sur (led by Marcial Belandres)
• Marcos Bocales Group (former Task Force Gantangan or-
ganized by the 58th IBPA in 2009): Lianga-San Miguel, Surigao
del Sur
• Hasmin Acevedo Group: San Miguel, Surigao del Sur
• Bagani Forces: San Luis, Agusan del Sur
• Wild Dogs/Salakawan: Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte

ARMED PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN CARAGA As of Marso 2018

PARAMILITARY HANDLER/
AREA COVERED TRIBE
GROUP MILITARY UNIT
Agusan del Sur Salakawan 26th IB Banwaon
Task Force Gantangan – Manobo
Bagani Force (TFG-BF)
Wild Dog Higaonon
Magahat-Bagani Force Manobo
Surigao del Sur Magahat-Bagani Force 401st IBde Manobo
Hasmin Acevedo Group 16th SFB, 36th IB Manobo
Calpet Egua group 401st IBde Manobo
Marcos Bocales/ Marcial 75th IB Manobo
Belandres Group
Surigao del Norte Investment Defense/ Trained by the AFP Lumad and
Security Forces but assigned in settlers
mining companies
and plantations
Agusan del Norte Komander Bawang 402nd IBde
Dinagat Is. White Eagle PBMA/AFP Settlers
19 --- Caraga Coal Primer
In the last quarter of 2017 until recently, there have been pow-
er struggles and grabbing of controlled areas among the armed
paramilitary groups. Marcos Acebedo Bocales, a Lumad Manobo
CAFGU under the 36th IBPA in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, was
recently killed. According to reports, Acebedo was marked a
traitor because he was a member of the two warring groups of
Calpet Egua and Hasmin Acebedo. Guillermo Tiambong, a Lumad
Mamanwa, was also killed by another CAFGU under the 30th IBPA
in Alegria, Surigao del Norte for his refusal to vacate his position in
the cooperative that receive the 1% royalty share from the mining
or/and hydropower company.

Are there specific incidents that link

militarization to the entry of coal mining in Caraga?
The areas primarily targeted for the military’s counter-insurgen-
cy campaign in Caraga are the very same areas where there are
investors for coal mining. The military operations launched were in
the mountain areas of the five (5) municipalities within the Andap
Valley Complex where one of the country’s largest coal deposits
are found.

During the 1980’s Benguet Corporation, SEMIRARA Coal Corp.,

Atlas Mining Corporation, Montenegreen Mining Corporation,
PNOC-EC and Sabina Mining Corporation were awarded coal
operating contracts (COC). These companies have been raring
to operate in these mountains since 2002, but were prevented
from operating by the refusal of the 22 Lumad communities of the
Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) to sign
FPICs.

In June 2005, the Department of Energy offered in its PECR, an

additional 7,000 hectares for coal mining within the Andap Valley
Complex. In May of that year, large and sustained military opera-
tions were launched, led by the 58th IBPA in the mountains of the
Andap Valley Complex. The sustained bombings, indiscriminate
20 --- Caraga Coal Primer
firing, torture, encampment in schools and other human rights
violations, forced 204 Lumad families with 1,234 individuals to
evacuate from 14 communities. Jessie Bacasmas, was shot and
killed while they were about to evacuate and while they were
surrounded by the military. Six (6) Lumad were taken and four
(4) remain missing to this day. The military did not hide the real
reason for the operations which was to remove opposition against
and ensure the entry of coal mining. They told the Lumad that
they would not have launched operations if they will allow the
entry of mining. A military truck used during the operations was
even painted with the word SEMIRARA.

Since 2005 until recently, with the push for coal mining in
the country, the Lumad and farmers in the areas targeted for
mining and massive militarization suffer from intense militariza-
tion, attacks against leaders and active members of Lumad and
peasant organizations and Lumad schools, resulting in massive
evacuations every year.

BS Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan

Within 2011-2013 when PECR4 was launched and coal mining

companies were awarded with COCs, six (6) Battalions: the 23rd,
26th IB, 29th, 30th, 58th and 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) were
deployed in Caraga. These were under the command of two (2)
brigades, the 401st and 402nd Infantry Brigades, under the 4th ID
of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the AFP. It
launched simultaneous and massive military operations primarily
in the areas targeted for coal and gold mining.

In 2014 when PECR5 was launched, there were nine (9) AFP bat-
talions in Caraga. The 75th IB was under the 4th Infantry Division
of the AFP and the 1st and 2nd Scout Ranger Battalions and 2nd
and 3rd Special Forces Battalions were under the Special Opera-
tions Command of the AFP. These were augmented by the differ-
ent AFP units such as test missions of the Scout Rangers, Military
Intelligence Group (MIG), Tactical Operations Group (TOG) and
21 --- Caraga Coal Primer
Reconnaissance Company. Aside from these, the two (2) Infantry
Brigades remained: 402nd Infantry Brigade and the 401st Infantry
Brigade. It launched massive military operations since April 2015.

The 75th IBPA led the operations in areas within the boundaries
of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur while the 26th IB operated
in Agusan del Sur. The 36th IBPA led military operations in areas
within the boundaries of San Miguel, Tago and Tandag City. Joining
the military operations were the Special Forces and Scout Rangers
and armed paramilitary groups. The number, sustainability and
brutality of these military operations intensified in the last quarter
of August 2015 when they openly used bandit paramilitaries. The
bandits not only joined the military operations, they also extorted
money from gold miners, logging and other businesses, robbery,
land grabbing and killings.

In November 2015 Abacus Corp. was set to start mining opera-

tions and launched consultations with alleged community leaders
in San Miguel, Cagwait, Tago and Tandag City to get their permis-
sion through the signing of the FPIC.

In 2016 there were eleven (11) full battalions of the Philippine

Army in Caraga. The 1st Special Forces Battalion and the 16th IBPA
were reinforced in Surigao del Sur. Three (3) battalions operated
in Agusan-Surigao del Sur and five (5) in the province of Surigao
del Sur: 36th IBPA, 75th IB, 29th IB, 16th IB and the 2nd SF who
were reinforced to the Scout Rangers and other Special Forces
Battalions. The headquarters of the 402nd Infantry Brigade under
Col. Isidro Purisima was transferred from Bancasi in Butuan City to
Tandag City.

In March 8, 2016, the 402nd Infantry Brigade declared Surigao del

Sur as “conflict manageable and ready for development” in line
with their target for Caraga. According to Major General Lactao
of the 4th ID, “Ang probinsya anaa nay dokumento nga ipresen-
tar sa mga investors nga ang probinsya andam na modawat og
mga investors (The province now has a document to present to
22 --- Caraga Coal Primer
investors that the province is now ready to accept investors).”
During that time, there were 12 coal mining companies awarded
by the Department of Energy (DoE) of coal operating contacts.

Rodrigo Duterte’s Oplan Kapayapaan

There was a momentary let up of military operations in areas tar-

geted for coal mining during the first few months after President
Duterte came into power, when there were peace talks between
the GRP and NDFP until the time when majority of the military
troops were deployed in Marawi City. After reducing Marawi City
to rubble and declared free of the Maute group, Duterte imme-
diately declared war against the NPA and extended martial law
over the whole of Mindanao until December 2018.

In February 1, 2018 at the Indigenous Peoples Leaders’ Summit

in Davao City, President Duterte declared, “Ako na mismo, ako
na’y mamili sa investor (I will personally… I will choose the inves-
tor)”, referring to the ancestral lands of the Lumad, citing oil palm
plantation and mining among the investments he will allow into
communities accused of being influenced by the New People’s
Army. He especially mentioned the Andap Valley Complex as one
of the areas for which he will choose the investors, portraying it as
among the areas influenced by the NPA. He pointed to the areas
of the Manobo, Ata, Matigsalug in the Apo, Talomo Mountain and
Manobo and Higaonon in the Andap Valley Complex in Surigao
del Sur. (http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/02/dute-
rte-to-choose-investors-to-develop-lumad-lands-for-oil-palm-min-
ing/). He then told the Lumad gathered to prepare for relocation,
“Basta magsugod ta ‘ron, ugma naa ko’y ihatag ninyo. Prepara
inyong kaugalingon for relocation.” https://www.rappler.com/
nation/195046-duterte-tells-lumad-leaders-prepare-relocation),
insinuating the dislocation of the Lumad from their ancestral
homes for the entry of plantations and mining projects and com-
bat operations of the AFP.

23 --- Caraga Coal Primer

The first areas in Caraga with massive military troops deployment
were those near and around areas targeted for coal mining.

At present there are nine (9) battalions under the 401st and 402nd
Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division under the EastMinCom-AFP
regularly operating in Caraga region.

The 36th IB, 26th IB, 75th IB; 3rd Special Forces Battalion and 41st
Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) are under the command
of the 401st Infantry Brigade with their main headquarters located
in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

The 29th IB and 30th IB and the 42nd DRC are all under the com-
mand of the 402nd Infantry Brigade. Their main headquarters is in
Tandag City in Surigao del Sur.

Four (4) battalions: 75th, 36th and 88th IBPA and the 16th SFB, are
in Lianga, San Agustin, Marihatag, Cagwait, San Miguel, Tago and
Tandag City in Surigao del Sur where the following companies are
set to operate in the Andap Valley Complex:
1. Benguet Corp. (development and production phase)
2. Abacus Coal Exploration and Development Corp.
(development and production phase)
3. Great Wall Mining and Power Corp.
(development and production phase)
4. ASK Mining and Exploration Corp. (exploration phase)
5. CoalBlack Mining Corp. (exploration phase)

The 29th IBPA operates in Butuan City and Kitcharao in Agusan del
Norte where the following companies are set to explore for coal:
1. Sahi Mining Corp.
2. Empire Asia Mining Corp.

The 30th IBPA operates in Gigaquit and Algeria in Surigao del

Norte targeted for mining by Timberwolves Resources Inc.

24 --- Caraga Coal Primer

Five (5) battalions: 26th, 23rd, 74th and 88th IBPA and 3rd SFB are
deployed in the adjacent municipalities of Bislig, Surigao del Sur
and Rosario, Bunawan and Trento in Agusan del Sur:

1. SMART Smart Mining and Resources Development Corp.

(Formerly Bislig Ventures Construction and Development
Corp.) (development and production phase)
2. Altura Mining Philippines (exploration phase)
3. Empire Asia Mining Corp. (exploration phase)
4. Philsaga Mining Corp. (exploration phase)
5. PNOC Exploration Corp. (exploration phase)
6. SKI Mining Corp. (exploration phase)

The primary target of the operating troops are the Lumad and
peasant communities with existing groups opposing coal mining
within ancestral lands and farms.

What are the human rights violations committed

by the PNP, AFP and bandit paramilitaries?
US-BS Aquino Regime

Since January 2014 until December 2015, there were 22 victims of

extrajudicial killings (EJK), nine (9) of whom were Lumad and thir-
teen (13) were farmers. Ten (10) of these killings were committed
by armed bandit paramilitaries while AFP troops were launching
military operations in the area, while six (6) where directly killed
by elements of the 29th, 36th and 75th IBPA during military opera-
tions. There were nineteen (19) wounded when the killings were
committed.

More than 130 civilians, members and leaders of progressive

organizations have been charged with trumped-up criminal cases
such as murder, frustrated murder, arson, robbery and others,
to silence their opposition against the entry of mining and other
25 --- Caraga Coal Primer
businesses that destroy the environment and livelihood of the
people.

Military troops were encamped in eighty nine (89) communities

implementing Community Organizing for Peace and Development
(COPD). There were fourteen (14) cases of forcible evacuations of
communities due to military operations victimizing 12,000 indi-
viduals. Sixteen (16) Lumad schools were harassed and forced to
temporarily close for several weeks because of the evacuations of
communities.

US-Duterte Regime

Duterte’s Oplan Kapa-

yapaan is more brutal and
openly violate human rights
especially as it is being
implemented in Minda-
nao under Martial Law. It
is characterized by killings,
militarization of communi-
ties, forced surrenders as
NPA and filing of trumped-
up charges against Lumad
and peasant leaders and
active members of progres-
sive organizations.

Extra judicial killings

Since President Duterte came into power in June 30, 2016 until
February 2017, there have been ten (10) cases of extrajudicial
killings (EJK) in Caraga. Of the ten (10) EJKs, nine (9) were commit-
ted under Martial Law in Mindanao which was declared in May 23,
2017. Six (6) victims were from the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipi-
nas (KMP) in their areas, while one (1) is an active Lumad-leader

26 --- Caraga Coal Primer

who campaigned against the expansion of mining in their ances-
tral lands. The killings were committed by masked men several of
whom were known to be assets of operating military units in their
own areas or in the homes of victims, in front of many witnesses.
The three (3) most recent killings victimized farmers who were
chanced upon in their farms by the military during combat opera-
tions and accused of being NPA.

Forcible Evacuations

Military operations in Caraga under OPlan Kapayapaan are sus-

tained, massive and brutal. In the mountain areas within the
Andap Valley Complex alone, the 36th IB, 75th IB, 88th IB and 16th
SFB are deployed. They are augmented by the police and their
organized paramilitaries in their military operations in the com-
munities and farms. Utilizing canons, bomber planes, drones and
other modern combat equipment, they wreak havoc among resi-
dents and prevent them from continuing with their livelihood. It
is worsened by the setting up of strict military checkpoints where
they are prevented from freely leaving and entering communities
and the entry of products including food, are limited. Under of
these oppressive conditions, residents are forced to evacuate.

Since March 2017 there have been eight (9) incidents of forcible
evacuations affecting sixteen (16) communities of more than three
thousand (3,000+) individuals. Three (3) of these evacuations hap-
pened within the months of January and February this year and
happened during massive military operations where public infra-
structures were turned into camps and homes were occupied.

• January 18, 2018: evacuation of 169 Lumad families with 804

individuals from 14 communities of Lianga and San Agustin,
Surigao del Sur. It affected nine (9) Lumad schools with 657
students and 60 para-teachers of TRIFPSS and ALCADEV.
• February 16, 2018: evacuation of 352 families from 11 peas-
ant communities of Sitio Tagkiling, Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City,
Agusan del Norte.
27 --- Caraga Coal Primer
• February 21, 2018: evacuation of 17 Lumad families with 92
individuals and 75 peasant families from Sitio Dahondahonan,
Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del Norte
• July 16, 2018: evacuation of 328 Lumad families with 1,607
individuals from 15 communities of Lianga and San Agustin in
Surigao del Sur

Food blockade

The military implemented food blockades against evacuation

centers and barred entry of humanitarian organizations who
wanted to know the condition of the evacuees and deliver relief
goods. The military used local government agencies such as the
Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Provincial Peace
and Order Council (PPOC) to impose policies that only the Muni-
cipal Social and Welfare Department (MSWD) can distribute relief
to the evacuees or that there should be coordination with them
before relief goods can be distributed. This is a clear violation of
the human rights of the evacuees and humanitarian organizations
who only want to help.

Filing Trumped-up Charges

The filing of trumped-up cases against known leaders and active

members of peasant and Lumad organizations, teachers of Lumad
schools and members of progressive organizations is also increa-
sing. There are several cases where murder and arson charges
were filed against residents of other provinces and it was impos-
sible for them to commit the incident/s they were accused of. The
inclusion of several names of known leaders and active members
or progressive organizations in cases filed in connection to NPA
actions, have become a practice. Since Duterte came into power
until February 2018, there have been 268 victims of trumped-up
charges where 76 of the accused were Lumad, 114 farmers, 3
workers, one youth, 6 teachers and 6 NGO workers/organizers.

28 --- Caraga Coal Primer

It has become usual practice of the PNP, Criminal Investigation and
Detection Group (CIDG) and military to plant firearms then show-
ing search warrants o warrants of arrest based on the planted
firearm. Since July 2016 until February 2018 there have been 57
civilian political prisoners arrested based on trumped-up charges
where 38 were ordinary farmers, 1 Lumad, 3 elderly, 4 women and
5 sickly. Most of the cases filed were in connection to NPA actions
and the names of civilians were included along with known NPA
leaders. There were five (5) arrested this year based on trumped-
up charges of murder, frustrated murder, arson and illegal posses-
sion of firearms and explosives. One of the most recent arrest was
an elderly woman and 5 farmers.

In May 31 a Gabriela Women’s Party organizer and human rights

advocate was arrested by the CIDG in Butuan City based on
trumped-up charges of murder and frustrated murder related to
an NPA offensive. She was accused of being the finance officer of
the Mindanao Commission, held in isolation and constantly in-
terrogated and coerced to surrender as NPA by the CIDG, OPAPP
and Presidential Management Staff (PMS) for 4 days before being
transferred to a municipal jail.

29 --- Caraga Coal Primer

What must we do?
We should intensify our opposition against the utterly
destructive coal mining in the region. We can:

1. Launch education and gatherings in schools, churches,

offices and other organizations on the effect of coal to the
people and the environment;

2. Organize and expand the ranks of those who oppose coal

mining and use;

3. Launch activities to demonstrate opposition against coal

mining;

4. Expose human rights violations in communities targeted

for coal mining;

5. Initiate steps to block the entry of coal operations such as

petition signing, local government resolutions and others;

6. Document incidents connected to coal operations (pho-

tos, basic information: 5Ws, procure documents, others.);

7. Actively monitor the activities of coal companies especial-

ly within the areas targeted for mining;

8. Actively lobby the local, regional and national govern-

ment agencies in connection to energy development
plans in your localities.

30 --- Caraga Coal Primer

Call to:
1. Stop the approval of new coal operating contracts in
Caraga. Lower and limit cola mining of existing mines;

2. Investigate the conduct of operations of existing coal

contract holders in the region;

3. Lower the use of dirty energy from coal within the

next three (3) years. Increase public investment for
renewable and sustainable energy sources. Work for
a truly secure and independent energy industry;

4. Formulate policies that facilitate the sustainable use

of resources for the good of the majority of the Filipi-
no people. Nationalize the electricity industry. Limit
private profits from energy and exploitation of the
country’s resources;

5. Ensure that the industry firmly adhere to the nation-

al and international environmental conventions and
respect human rights;

6. Contribute to the care of the environment for the

good of the present and future generations of Filipi-
nos;

7. Lift martial law in Mindanao.

31 --- Caraga Coal Primer

32 --- Caraga Coal Primer