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First Posted on Inside Mindanao (www.insidemindanao.com) on September 8, 2008

Road blockade lifted but problem remains unsettled in Tampakan project
By Bong S. Sarmiento

KORONADAL CITY—The road blockade that hampered base camp operations of foreign–backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. for several days was lifted today (Monday), but the problem remained virtually unsettled, an official said.

The barricades were removed this morning following a meeting on Sunday between the local government unit and the tribal chieftains who expressed sympathy to those who set up the barricades that hampered the drilling operations of the mining firm.

Fresh from a Sangguniang Bayan meeting on Monday, Tampakan acting Vice Mayor Relly A. Leysa said that officials of Sagittarius were invited to Sunday's meeting but did not show up.

"Essentially, the residents demand is for the company to give them employment," Leysa told this reporter.

"They decided to lift up the barricades on condition that the company will act on their request. If otherwise, they vowed to reestablish the road blocks on September 25," he added.

The lifting of the road blocks is expected to pave the way for a dialogue between the company and the disgruntled indigenous peoples.

END

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