BORONGAN CITY — Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan reiterated his call for the national government to end the mining activities on the historic island of Homonhon in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
DESTROYING OUR PARADISE. Bishop Crispin Varquez Borongan has raised alarm over what he described as “escalated” mining operations in the historic island of Homonhon off Guiuan town in Eastern Samar province. “I am reiterating my call to the national government to end now the continued mining on the island because of its devastating effect on the environment and its people,” said Varquez.
The bishop said the minerals extracted by mining companies operating on Homonhon island are shipped to China, and the residents of Homonhon have been complaining of the massive destruction mining activities have brought to the island.
Varquez noted that in October 2024, 11 Chinese were arrested by a joint operation of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) for their alleged illegal mining activities on Homonhon island.
SADDENED. Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan decried the lifting of the moratorium on new mining projects because it would further “exploit our already much-wounded land”.
The island of Homonhon had a place in Philippine history. It has been considered the cite of the First Holy Mass in the country on March 15, 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan and his expedition landed on Limasawa island in Southern Leyte 504 years ago.
Historians say there used to be a Magellan’s Marker or Magellan’s Rock in Homonhon, but it was believed to have been vandalized or stolen years ago.
With additional report: The Manila Times, Nestor Abrematea
