The protestors, who will come from the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Davao del Sur, will conduct pit stops in several localities where Sagittarius Mines is expected to operate.
On the first day, the activists will picket the main office of Sagittarius Mines in Tampakan town, South Cotabato, after the rally at the MGB regional office.
On the second day, the group will demonstrate outside the sub-office of the mining firm in General Santos City.
Sagittarius Mines has listed Tampakan town as the site of its principal office but most of the operational and administrative functions are now in General Santos City apparently due to security concerns. In two separate occasions since 2008, the New People’s Army had successfully launched attacks in Tampakan against the company.
On the third day, the marchers will proceed to Malalag town in Davao del Sur, where Sagittarius plans to establish a dedicated coal-fired power plant and related facilities worth $900 million.
Lariba said that on the fourth day, they will resume the walk in Padada town, Davao del Sur towards Digos City, where they will observe Human Rights Day.
He said the mining project of Sagittarius Mines has intensified the militarization in the area, allegedly resulting in several human rights violations.
Aside from the militant group Bayan, the protestors will include members of Karapatan or Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights and Socsksargends Agenda or South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos-Davao del Sur Alliance for Genuine Development.
“We hope the activity will leave a lasting mark in the public mind that projects like that of SMI must not be allowed to push through because of its imminent danger to the environment,” Lariba said.
Vehicles will accompany the protestors so that those who will get tired of walking can be given a lift, he added.
John B. Arnaldo, Sagittarius Mines corporate communications manager, could not be reached for comment on Sunday but he had repeatedly said the company “always respects the views” of those against their mining project.
The Tampakan project, controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, is touted as the largest undeveloped copper-gold project in Southeast Asia.
Australian firm Indophil Resources NL holds the rest of the equity (37.
