By SALVADOR DEL PUEBLO
Spokesperson, NDFP-Cagayan Valley
More than 4,000 people, mostly peasants, went out of their homes to take part in what has been the largest protest rally ever held in Gonzaga and Sta. Teresita, Cagayan today, 19 March 2011. They are denouncing the plunder of Taiwanese mining companies Lianxing and Huaxia.
Among those who protested were farmers from the barangays (villages) of Cabambanan Norte, Camabmbanan Sur, Maguing, Isca, Flouridhing, Progressive, Smart, Paradise, Batangan, Calayan, Minanga, Callao, Tapel, Rebecca, Baua, Sta. Cruz, San Jose, Cabiraoan and Pateng, Gonzaga; and Barangay Mission and Dungeg, Sta. teresita.
On March 12, an anti-mining forum was held at Centro Gonzaga town. More than 400 personalities attended. More than 2,000 people staged a rally after.
Threatening Philippine National Police (PNP) elements and squads of the Special Weapons and Tactics failed to hold back the people's anger.
