Mining firm head declared persona non grata in Homonhon

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — Local officials in Homonhon island have declared the president of a mining firm as persona non grata following a failed takeover of a mining site here.

The former mining operator and mineral production sharing agreement holder Cambayas Mining Corporation (CMC) president Yang Ming has been declared as persona non grata in Barangay Canawayon after CMC officials, backed by over 50 armed men, tried to take over the premises of Techiron Resources Inc. (TRI), a mining corporation.

Yang insisted on implementing a court liquidation order against Techiron without a sheriff.

He was accompanied by a group from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 8th Regional Public Safety Battalion and Guiuan Police.

“For reason that Mr. Yang Ming and his armed companions entered this island without consent and notice from our barangay and local government, is a clear transgression of our peace and order,” the resolution reads.

The village officials unanimously agreed not to allow the businessman to enter Canawayon without permission from them, with copies furnished to the local government of Guiuan and the Philippine National Police.

For the same reason, Casuguran officials also issued a resolution prohibiting the entry of at least 20 armed men in their village without approval from concerned government agencies.

Last Feb. 8, Jonalyn Anos, a Casuguran barangay council member, said they felt threatened because of the dispute between the two mining firms.

“Most residents are afraid to leave their houses, some even said that we are like in Marawi. We don’t understand what is happening, but we don’t want to be in the middle of it,” she said during an interview.

Urbano Garado Jr., the village chief of Casuguran, added it was unusual to see armed men roaming their streets because their island is peaceful.

He urged both parties to settle their feud in court.