Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) has received a cease and desist order (CDO) from National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for its ongoing nickel ore mining operations after allegedly invading the forests and ancestral domains in Brooke’s Point, Palawan, and damaging the lands and livelihood of the people.
In a report by Rappler, INC was given five days to halt its mining operations and conduct safety operations to avoid harming the community of the indigenous people in the area. The resolution was dated August 11.
The decision was warmly acknowledged by the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) in Palawan
National Coordinator of the environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina Jaybee Garganera said that this decision of NCIP is proof that IPs can prevail over the interests of the mining firms through their collective voices and will.
Meanwhile, Brooke’s Point Councilor Victor Colili also added that the NCIP response paves the way for allies in the municipality to stand strong in their convictions. He stressed that this is indeed the right step in the non-renewal of the Mineral Sharing Production Agreement for 2025-2050.
Recently, a resolution of non-consent was filed to the NCIP, denoting material misrepresentation during the process of obtaining free, prior, and informed consent. Additionally, INC’s alleged bribery of indigenous leaders and members was pointed out.
On the other hand, the INC argued that NCIP should revoke the order because their mining concessions do not overlap with an ancestral domain, and if it did, they have obtained free, prior, and informed consent.
