(Eagle News) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been directed to revoke the licenses and permits of mining companies that are “supplying explosives” to communist rebels, and violating rules on the handling of explosives.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who held a press conference on Tuesday, the directive was given by President Rodrigo Duterte himself during the National Security Council Executive Committee Meeting in Malacañang on Monday.
In previous speeches, Duterte had already threatened to close down companies that continued to support the communist rebels, which the government has already labeled as terrorists.
“We have to decide once and for all. If I go against the NPAs, the communists, well, everybody has to reconfigure your relationship with the NPAs. Because if you continue to support [them] financially, I will close you down. In the interest of the security of the state, all those funding the NPA here, we will trace everything,” he had said.
During the meeting, which Roque said lasted until early Tuesday morning, the President also said that uniformed personnel who were found to be violating laws on explosives will be automatically expelled.
Roque said the President also issued a directive for the creation of a task force that will address the plight of the indigenous people of Mindanao.