ENVIRONMENTAL groups in Palawan voice their concern on the suspension of Mayor Maryjean Feliciano and the resumption of mining operations in Brooke’s Point.

The Ombudsman, in a consolidated decision dated Feb. 19, 2021, issued a one-year suspension order on Feliciano after being found guilty of “oppression or grave abuse of authority” on her actions to demolish the mining-related structures of Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC) within the watershed in 2017.

The Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) denounced the suspension order and launched a campaign for the Ombudsman to reverse its decision.

“The suspension order [for Mayor Feliciano] is troubling and can have a chilling effect on environmental defenders. If a local official can be suspended for representing the voice of her/his constituents in the fight against a destructive and extractive project, ordinary folk who are fighting mining can be harassed,” said lawyer Grizelda Mayo-Anda, of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, a GLA consortium member.

Anda said the 25,000 trees cut by INC, the country’s second-largest nickel producer, in its clearing operations in 2017 have more ecological value compared to the INC structures which were ordered demolished by the mayor.

The GLA also slammed the restoration of INC’s Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Palawan women’s group Mga Kalebonan et BICAMM joined the campaign supporting Feliciano.

“Kami ang unang impact area kapag natuloy ang pagmimina dito po sa bayan ng Brooke’s Point dahil lupaing ninuno namin ang miminahin. Unang maapektuhan ang mga kababaihan, pati mga sakahan sa ibaba ng miminahing lugar. Noon pa man ipinaglalaban ng aming mayor, hanggang sa ngayon, para sa kabutihan ng buong Brooke’s Point. Ang kanyang iniisip ay hindi ang pansariling kapakanan, kundi mas lalo’t higit sa mga katutubo,” the group said in a statement.

Indigenous Palawan groups, Pineuntungan Et KePelewanan BICAMM, and Kabatangan Ancestral Domain ng Sampung Barangay, also expressed support to the mayor.

In a statement, the INC said the company conducted its operations in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.