The bishop reiterates the call to mining

The city of Borgan – Bishop Crispin Varquez from the Diocese of Borgan and reiterated the appeal for the national government to put an end to the mining activities on the Homonhon historical island in Guiuan, the east of the Samar.

“I reiterate my appeal to the national government to now conclude the continuous mining on the island because of its devastating effect on the environment and its people,” said Varquez.

The bishop said that the minerals extracted by the mining companies operating on the island of Homonhon are sent to China, and the residents of Homonhon complained about the mining activities of mass destruction have brought to the island.

“There is a devastating effect for the future of the island, including supply of food, water and environment,” he said.

Varquez mentioned that, in October 2024, 11 Chinese were arrested by a joint operation of the Presidential Anti-Guard Commission (PACC) and the Immigration Bureau (BI) for their alleged illegal mining activities on Homonhon Island.

Homonhon Island had a place in the Philippine history. It was considered the citation of the first holy mass in the country on March 15, 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan and his expedition landed on the island of South Leyte 504 years ago.

Historians say there is a marker by Magellan or Magellan’s rock in Homonhon, but it was believed to have been vandalized or stolen years ago.