Duterte orders license, permit revocation of mining firms selling bombs to rebels

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte (PNA Photo)

The President ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revoke the licenses and permits of mining companies that support communist rebels by supplying them with explosives.

Malacañang, through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr., said that this was one of his instructions during the National Security Council Executive Committee meeting attended by several cabinet members on March 19.

“The President directed the DENR to revoke the licenses, permits of mining companies violating explosive handling rules or reported to be supplying explosives to communist terrorist groups,” Roque said on March 20.

He was referring to Rule 1140 of the Labor Code, which states the proper use, handling, storage, and manufacture of explosives, but he did not drop any detail regarding the company names or how many companies will have their licenses and permits revoked.

Furthermore, according to Roque, the armed government forces which are the military or the police, found to be violating these rules will “face automatic expulsion.”

Back in November last year, President Rodrigo Duterte already warned to close mining companies who were reportedly paying taxes to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

He argued that these payments enable the rebels to build strength as money gives them the opportunity to buy arms and bullets.

“We have to talk. I have to talk to them. For those who cannot resist, then you better close up,” Duterte said, addressing the mining companies.

Last December, the President formally signed a proclamation officially tagging the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

According to his spokesman, with this proclamation in effect, other groups affiliated with the CPP-NPA are also considered as terrorist groups, and others reported to be funding or aiding them will be held liable.

“Take note that the domestic statute and the UN Security Council prohibits the giving of funds to terrorist organizations, this will enable law enforcement agencies to run after individuals who will, in any way, provide financial support to the NPA now that it has been described as a terrorist organization,” Roque said.