April 1, 2005
Ottawa, Canada - Onsino Mato and Godofredo Galos of Siocon, Zamboanga
del Norte, went to Canada to present before the parliamentary Subcommittee
on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. They, along with MiningWatch
Canada and Rights and Democracy presented what is happening in Canatuan
to an attentive audience. Overall, the response of the committee was
very supportive toward the delegation. Various Canadian NGO's, such
as Amnesty International, Karios, Inter Pares, the Assembly of First
Nations, and the Canadian Council for International Cooperation were
also present to express their support for the speakers.
About two hours before the hearing, TVI's solicitors sent a letter
and binder of materials to the clerk of the Committee and MiningWatch.
This action concerned the committee so much that they offered Mr. Mato
and Mr. Galos the opportunity to testify "in camera" or behind
closed doors and off the public record- an offer which they accepted.
From their reaction, it is apparent that the committee now understood
that TVI is used to threatening opponents and was worried about the
witnesses.
One Member of Parliament seemed to be briefed by the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) and seemed determined to defend CIDA's support
of TVI's 'development' activities to the committee. However, as she
tried to do so it became clear that $14,000 Canadian had already been
spent on the project with only a few goats left to show for it. Clearly
there needs to be an investigation on this project to determine why
CIDA's Canada Fund distributed money through a private Canadian company,
how the money was spent, and why the project was suddenly halted.
The delegation also submitted a number of statements from community
members to the committee. Timuay Jose Boy Anoy, Bishop Jose Manguiran,
Ofelia "Inday" Davi, Timuay Noval Lambo, and Muslim representative
Mobin Abunawas all contributed to a clear statement of opposition against
the operations of TVI in Canatuan.
TVI will also be having a hearing before this Subcommittee. The date
has not been set as of yet, but we believe it will be soon.
A large number of Canadian NGO's have pledged their support to our
struggle. Clearly the issue is gaining critical mass in Canada and TVI
is responding. We must continue to be attentive in our opposition to
the company.
-Written by Maryanne Mutch, DCMI
