PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Palawan has launched an investigation into the demolition early this year of structures within the mine site of Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) in Brooke’s Point led by Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano.
The investigation was upon the request of the INC, NBI Palawan agent-in-charge Norman Decampong said in an interview Wednesday with the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The investigation is led by special investigator Allan Futalan.
“The management (INC) requested us to look into it. We will look into what happened on that day, what was violated, who was there, and we will look into the situation then,” he said.
Feliciano and several others who allegedly participated in the demolition have been summoned to report to the local NBI office.
Feliciano, however, in an interview Tuesday night said that she will not accept the agency’s invitation.
“What does he need to investigate (referring to Futalan)? He can file a case if he likes. He’s always in Brooke’s Point with the officials of the mining company even before the demolition. It will have the same result if I attend or not,” said Feliciano.
Feliciano led the demolition of structures within the INC mine site at Sitio New Panay, Barangay Maasin, Brooke’s Point on February 21, 2018. She led about 300 residents to demolish the building structures after the INC allegedly ignored a Department of Environment and Natural Resources cease and desist order issued last year upon the discovery of its illegal tree-cutting activities.
She also said that Ipilan has no business permit from her office.
Destroyed within the mine site were two guardhouses, Ipilan’s staff house, the administration office, and the operation building.
“The demolition is legal, it is one of the powers of the mayor and he/she can do any act to protect the forest and other resources of the municipality under the local government code,” she said.
She cited the case of Crisostomo Aquino versus the Municipality of Malay, Aklan, where the Supreme Court upheld the right of the mayor to demolish in the exercise of his police power.
Feliciano also assured those who accompanied her in the demolition stop their worries as she will support them, and will also provide them legal assistance.
“Those who joined me in the demolition should not be afraid. Those who cut down the trees were not afraid to cut them in thousands when it is illegal. But why would those who joined me be afraid in the demolition I ordered when it is according to the law,” she said.
Ferdinand Libatique, INC resident mine manager, confirmed requesting the NBI to conduct the probe. In a statement his office sent also on Wednesday, he said their request for the probe was because of the looting that happened during the “illegal demolition”.
“INC requested the NBI to investigate the looting that happened during the illegal demolition of government properties led by Mayor (Mary) Jean Feliciano last February 21. The request was filed on behalf of our staff and security personnel who lost some of their personal properties during the demolition,” he said.
Libatique added that the INC left it to the NBI on how to conduct the investigation and is not privy to its process. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
