Manila; Philippines: government wants mineral investment; and to cut off rebels from gold mines

(Social Justice South Africa; C.f. Reuters (Secular; Independent; British) 08 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Philippine army plans in 2009: to take a small mining region from rebel hands. The region funds Maoist (Communist)rebel recruitment across the country. Rebels have raided local industry, for goods, and have attacked infrastructure, including a mobile phone center: in order to get funding for their civil war initiatives. The army blames an Islamic Insurgency last year: in the south, high fuel prices, and a humanitarian crisis, for failing to destroy 40 rebel bases they had promised to destroy last year. They plan to destroy all Maoist bases by 2010.

The Philippines is planing to attract hundreds of millions in mining investment this year, making this operation of a perceived special interest to their government.

A recent law past: allowing 100 percent ownership of mines. Those apposing some mining investments: include Catholic representation. The Philippines is demographically: considered largely Catholic.