The lifting of the ban on new mining deals is just one sign that next year’s national elections is fast approaching, said Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila.
The Catholic Church opened the observance of Laudato Sí Week on Sunday, May 16, with the prelate lamenting over how the government allows the destruction of the environment.
“They really need the money for the elections,” he said. “And these big mining firms are the ones giving away these money in exchange of getting permits,” said the prelate in a homily.
In April, President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the moratorium on new mining agreements imposed in 2012, reopening the door to investments.
The move alarmed church leaders and environmental activists with Bishop Pabillo saying the current situation “will not benefit the country, but only just a few.”
He warned that more mining operations also means more human rights violations against poor communities and environmentalists.
“Mining is one of the causes of destruction of communities of [indigenous peoples] and the poor,” he said.
“We will again see more human rights violations, red-tagging of indigenous people, farmers, fishermen, and environmentalists who are against mining,” said the prelate.
The observance of Laudato Sí Week marks the anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato Sí, which was issued in 2015.
