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QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. FUENTEBELLA
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, esteemed colleagues of this House, I rise on a matter of personal privilege. As I stated
earlier, I rise to humbly but fervently seek the intervention of the House through its oversight function on
the cold-blooded murder where four ordinary and innocent rural folk of Barangay Gata in Caramoan,
Camarines Sur were killed.
I rise once again to seek the condemnation of the wantonness with which criminal elements, cloaked with
the seeming invincibility of government authority, the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force of the province of
Camarines Sur, disregarded an appeal of barangay leaders and residents to desist from continuing with
their oppressive deprivation of poor barangay residents.
I rise to seek the commitment of this Chamber in protecting the right to life and the right to a decent
livelihood of the residents of Caramoan in Camarines Sur, that they may be free from harassment and
intimidation. I rise, Mr. Speaker, because these four victims had almost nothing of real value in this world
and relied solely on their industry and their faith in God. I rise in behalf of their grieving widows and
children and for my own sense of helplessness over the tragic and irretrievable loss of the decency of their
everyday existence.
I rise because at nine in the evening last March 22, 2014, they were needlessly shot to death allegedly by
members of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force who, on allegations of official authority vested by the
province of Camarines Sur, have been conducting illegal searches, accosting and impounding municipal
and private trucks on legal and usual business, confiscating properties and have sown fear and
helplessness on residents and other innocent landowners.
It is my duty to inform the House of Representatives that the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force, a unit created
by the Camarines Sur provincial governor, has allegedly engaged and is continuing to engage in illegal
activities, including extortion, illegal quarrying, carnapping and illegal mining activities, without the
necessary permit and in direct contravention of their avowed duty. The Sagip Kalikasan Task Force chose
instead to harass and steal from the residents, government employees and agents, anytime, anywhere, in
Camarines Sur.
Mr. Speaker, small-scale mining has been the source of livelihood of the residents of Barangay Gata.
Although a mining permit was once issued to a private concessionaire in the pre-war days, no big-scale
mining has been conducted in the barangay for more than 50 years. For the most part of their lives, the
people of Barangay Gata have been engaged in small-scale mining as a means of livelihood and have
lived in gentle and peaceful harmony.
According to Barangay Gata’s local chief executive for 20 years, this means of livelihood provides the
basic needs of her residents—earning an average of P180 a day, enough to buy milk for their newborn
and to feed their families.
On December 4, 2013, however, while the barangay captain was in Manila for official business, this
peace was shattered when the members of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force, headed by Mr. Fermin
Mabolo and Mr. Francisco “Eco” Tria III, docked at the island-barangay of Gata and arrested about 30

arangay miners. They were asked to stand on a cliff at the edge of the island from morning until three in
the afternoon, under the sun and in the rain, deprived of food and one of them, deprived of medicine.
These residents were told that they were conducting illegal mining activities. They were informed that
only a permit from the governor “will make their livelihood legal.”
A week later, on December 11, 2013, the members of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force forcibly entered the
property of Emily and Rufino Sta. Ana, heirs of the former mining concessionaire, and impounded the
area for alleged illegal mining activities.
Despite the official complaint of the property’s caretaker with the municipal police, Mr. Tria and
company soon began mining activities within the property. This brazen act of confiscation sowed
confusion and despair and, evidently, malfeasance.
An impassioned plea from the owner of the property to Governor Miguel Villafuerte was met with a
denial and a counter-allegation that it was the owner’s caretaker who was conducting illegal mining
activities. This written denial was made despite clear pieces of evidence showing that Mr. Mabolo and
Mr. Tria brought armed men and two ball mills into the property and promptly built nipa huts for
themselves. Even with the governor’s expressed undertaking to conduct an investigation, the group
continued to occupy the property and was soon selling illegally extracted gold on a regular basis.
Seeing that these activities were affecting the livelihood of their residents and starving them for months,
the Sangguniang Barangay of Gata passed Resolutions No. 2 and 6, authorizing the application for the
establishment of a “Minahan ng Bayan,” under the Minahan ng Bayan Program, in Sitio Campo and in
the barangay proper.
After due inspection, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR-Region V declared the feasibility
of conducting small-scale mining activities within the proposed sites and recommended the approval of
the barangay’s application.
In the morning of March 22, 2014, after her apprehension by Mr. Tria and other members of the Sagip
Kalikasan Task Force, Barangay Captain Mercy Sueno presented a copy of the DENR-MGB’s official
reply. Barangay Gata residents were eagerly hoping that the presentation of an official affirmation from
the DENR-MGB would dissuade Mr. Tria and his group from continuing with their illegal activities. In
response, Mr. Tria angrily ordered the barangay captain and her group to vacate the area, threatening that
he would bring more backup if they did not follow his orders.
At 9:20 in the evening of that same day, a group of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force, armed with highpowered
firearms, entered the private property of Barangay Kagawad Maximino Breis. While having
their dinner, habang kumakain po sila, Rene and Julio Labiano were shot at the back of their heads, Salem
Virtuz was shot under his right ear, and Reden Brondia was shot three times at the back. The four died
instantly.
Mr. Speaker, they were defenseless and had simply wanted to work for a living and for the sustenance of
their families. They were shot at close range without cover and with their friends and families close by.
What these task force personnel did not know was that there were persons nearby who witnessed their
gruesome acts.

Previous to this, Mr. Speaker, several shameless acts of abuse and coercion committed by the Sagip
Kalikasan Task Force of Camarines Sur had been reported and documented. Trucks and other vehicles of
the municipal governments of Baao, Cabusao, Bula and Ragay were stopped and impounded, their drivers
accosted and coerced and the properties confiscated were never returned despite lawful court orders.
Back on January 22, 2012, Sagip Kalikasan Task Force members attempted to forcibly apprehend
workers hired to clear canals along the highway in Barangay Patitinan, Sagñay of eroded soil and rocks
after a landslide. The Task Force attempted to impound a dump truck used by the workers. Despite
subsequent certifications from the Regional DENR Office and Office of Civil Defense that there were no
quarrying activities being conducted in the area, the Task Force insisted that there was, constraining the
late Secretary Jesse Robredo to send police forces to defuse tension in the area. Secretary Jesse had to
resort to this because six barangay councils had already filed complaints about their residents being
divested of their root crops, bamboo strips and simple implements they were carrying for domestic use.
Even ordinary firewood to be used for cooking was not exempted from confiscation.
Certain members of the Task Force, ostensibly under destination as Bantay Kalikasan, confiscated logs
that were turned over to the provincial government, and not to the DENR which has exclusive jurisdiction
over matters there. The DENR denied deputizing these Sagip Kalikasan Task Force members to effect the
confiscation of these logs.
For several years now, the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force members have illegally established permanent
checkpoints in national roads all over the province and have illegally stopped and harassed motorists, to
the consternation of businessmen and ordinary folks alike, in violation of the rules and regulations of the
Philippine National Police.
Despite being shown valid permits, the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force has illegally seized trucks and
equipment of hapless engineering contractors, thereby delaying the completion of government projects
and forcing aggrieved parties to file cases of carnapping and grave coercion against the Task Force
members.
To enlighten everyone, the Supreme Court, in the case of the League of Provinces vs. the DENR (G.R.
No. 175368, April 11, 2013), ruled that the provincial Government is not authorized to issue mining
permits and it is therefore illegal for it to enforce environmental laws in that regard. In the case of
Leonora Calanza vs. PICOP (G.R. No. 146622, April 24, 2009), the Supreme Court also declared that
applications of small-scale miners for mining permits and mining contracts are vested in the Provincial or
City Mining Regulatory Board composed of the DENR representative, the representatives of the smallscale
mining sector, the big-scale mining industry and environmental group.
Under what authority, therefore, was the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force of Camarines Sur created? Under
whose instruction and direction do they conduct their coercion, harassment and their confiscation of the
possessions of legitimate businesses of ordinary people? Why did certain national agencies allow all these
happen? This is clearly a malfeasance.
Mr. Speaker, despite multiple complaints and cases filed in the courts, the Task Force members continue
with their nefarious activities to this day. We are in constant disbelief that these unbridled acts of abuse
have not merited a more purposive and serious investigation by the provincial government. Already, there

are allegations from residents and local enforcers that the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force is composed of
discharged police and military personnel with pending cases, rebel returnees and former members of
disbanded Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units.
Why can they not be taken to task? Why have they continued to blatantly arrogate power unto
themselves? Who profits from the continued existence of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force? Who is
protecting them? There, we need the intervention of the House of Representatives through its oversight
function.
What is the reaction of the provincial government? The reaction to the murders committed in Barangay
Gata was to pass an ordinance banning any quarrying and mining activities only in the municipality of
Caramoan. To me, this is a clear attempt to further intimidate and starve the residents of Caramoan, to
disregard the decision of the Supreme Court, to challenge the role and authority of the national
government to enforce the law and to protect the basic human rights of the citizens of the Fourth District
of Camarines Sur.
They do not know fear. Only the swift response of the Regional Command of the Philippine National
Police with the assistance of the PNP Special Action Force and the NBI Region V allowed the first and
impartial investigation into the multiple murders of the so-called “Gata 4.”
Because of this, I and the residents of Barangay Gata are greatly encouraged today to seek your
endorsement to the authorities in the DOJ, the NBI, the PNP and also the Commission on Human Rights
to effect the immediate disbandment of the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force of Camarines Sur to undertake
the swift but thorough and impartial investigation of all complaints against the Task Force and its
members, not only on the murders, but also to look into why it escalated to the massacre, and the filing of
appropriate criminal and administrative charges against the head or heads and members of the Task Force
and their accessories.
Mr. Speaker, there is no place for a breakdown of the law anywhere in our country. For this atrocious
abuse of political connection and patronage, there is no place for this in the present- day Philippine
society. This level of criminality and wanton disregard of the law is unprecedented in the history of
Camarines Sur. The documentation of the activities of this “private army” shows that their crimes have
become graver over time, more willful and shameless because they remain unchecked.
At the time when we are seeking the people’s confidence and faith in our commitment to good
governance, the needless deaths of “Gata 4”—Rene, Julio, Salem and Reden—are grim reminders that
there are those among us who use their proximity to power to insatiably seek for more at the expense of
those who have very little.
As Representatives of the people, especially of the weak and the downtrodden, it is our duty to seek
justice for the victims and for the swift investigation and conviction of those responsible for the “Gata 4”
massacre. Our silence will only serve to perpetrate lawlessness and will be viewed morbidly as a tacit
acquiescence to immoral and abusive governance.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, this passage from the Bible and your compassion shall sustain the
people of Gata and the faithful citizens of Camarines Sur in their quest for justice and restoration.
As your brother and colleague, I humbly seek your sympathy and support in their behalf.
May God bless you, Mr. Speaker, and the Members of the House of Representatives.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Apostol). Yes, the Hon. Jose L. Atienza Jr. is recognized.
REP. ATIENZA. With the permission of the Gentleman from Camarines Sur, we would like to ask him
some questions relevant to the issue that he has brought before us this afternoon.
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Certainly, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Apostol). The Gentleman may please go ahead.
REP. ATIENZA. Distinguished Gentleman from Camarines Sur, due to the gravity of your allegation,
this Representation feels obligated to look deeper into the problem, sapagkat marami po talaga ngayong
pinapatay, at napapatay—kung minsan hindi na natin malaman ang dahilan—due to the breakdown of
rule of law.
In this case that you have cited, ang tinutukoy po ba ninyo na gumagawa ng pagpatay ay mga supposedly
authorized agents of the government?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Yes, Mr. Speaker, iyon po ang mga itinuturo ng mga testigo at ng mga pamilya
ng biktima. Kung makikita po ninyo sa salaysay ng barangay kapitan, hindi naman po siya biglaan na
nangyari. Nag-escalate po siya, umakyat nang umakyat hanggang sa puntong umabot sa isang masaker na
karumal-dumal na ginawa ng mga sinasabing gumawa nitong mga pumatay—they are cloaked with
authority from a government agency.
REP. ATIENZA. And you are identifying them as members of a Sagip Kalikasan group created by the
authorities of Camarines Sur.
REP. FUENTEBELLA. The provincial government of Camarines Sur.
REP. ATIENZA. Sino po ba ang provincial governor ngayon ng Camarines Sur?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. As stated in the speech, Mr. Speaker, Gov. Miguel Villafuerte.
REP. ATIENZA. Ang tanong ay nakarating po ba sa kanyang kaalaman itong inyong tinutukoy na
pagpaslang sa apat na inosenteng tao?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Nakarating po, at hindi lamang po iyon, bago po nangyari ang pagpaslang,
nagreklamo po ang may-ari ng property kung saan nagkaroon ng ilegal na pagpasok ang tauhan ng Sagip
Kalikasan Task Force. Nagreklamo po si Mrs. Emily Alvarez Sta. Ana, sumulat po siya sa gobernador at
sinagot po iyon ng gobernador tulad noong ipinakita sa ating screen, at doon po, inamin ng gobernador na
siya ang nagpadala noong mga taong iyon at binigyan po ng authority, may authority daw po na magdala

ng armas. So, meron pong pag-amin prior to the incident na siya ang nagpadala ng mga tao doon. So, they
were clothed with authority from a public official. Siguro hindi niya na-foresee, iyon na po siguro ang
pinakapatas na puwede nating mabanggit sa mga pangyayaring ito kung i-a-analyze po natin, kung
susuriin natin. Pero klaro po na ang ginawa o reaksyon ng probinsya ay magpasa pa ng ordinansa na
ipagbawal ang pagmimina o kahit anong quarrying activity doon lamang sa munisipyong iyon pagkatapos
nangyari ang masaker.
So, ano po ang ibig sabihin? Meron tayong isang gobyerno sa loob ng ating sariling national government
kaya kailangang tignan, pag-aralan ng Mababang Kapulungan ang mga bagay na ito para klaro kung sino
ang may authority with regard to these issues na puwede pong nagiging complicated. Alam naman po
ninyo sa atin lalo na kapag malayong lugar, kapag hindi klaro, hindi na nila alam kung sino ang susundin.
Mas mahirap ang konsekuwensiya. The consequence would be mas mahirap ang kalalagyan po natin.
Hindi ko po itatago na may mga insurgents sa aming distrito kaya kailangang gumalaw tayo at kailangang
mapukaw, magising ang ating mga dapat talagang nag-e-enforce ng batas na tingnan ito nang maigi.
Tingnan kung ano ang nangyari, bakit nangyari ito at siguruhing may hustisya, siguruhing maipanumbalik
ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa aming distrito, sa munisipyo ng Caramoan sa Barangay Gata. Kailangan
din, mas importante ang pagkalinga sa mga pamilya ng biktima at sa mismong sitio at barangay na natorture,
pinahirapan ng apat na buwan, deprived of their livelihood. Can you imagine earning P180 a day,
aagawan mo pa ng kabuhayan, tatakutin mo, ang ganda pa ng dating ng pananakot, “Tumayo ka diyan sa
bundok pero kapag umatras ka pa, hulog ka sa dagat.” Simula umaga hanggang alas-tres ng hapon,
nainitan na ng araw, naulanan pa, hindi pinakain, ang isa kailangang uminom ng gamot, pinagbawalan
dahil sila ay mga ilegal. Wala ba silang karapatan? Hindi ba klaro na may pang-aabuso?
Ano ang gagawin natin? Iyon po ang mahalaga, ano ang gagawin ng Mababang Kapulungan, ano ang
gagawin ng national government?
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that what is being contested here is the opportunity to
conduct the small mining activity in the area. Ang kanilang pinagtatalunan ay small mining opportunities
doon sa lugar, tama po ba iyon?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Iyon po ang tinitingnan at kinokolekta na ebidensiya ng National Bureau of
Investigation pero hindi po patungong small mining ang gustong gawin noong mga tagalabas na pumasok
sa area dahil nagdala na po sila ng backhoe at mga explosives. Therefore, it is no longer small mining, but
they are going towards large-scale or big-scale mining.
REP. ATIENZA. Sino po ba ang tinutukoy ninyong nagpapanggap na small miner samantalang hindi po
naman, iyon po bang pinatay o iyong pumatay?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Iyong mga pinatay po, iyon po ang pang-araw-araw nilang hanapbuhay.
REP. ATIENZA. Iyon ang tunay na small miners.
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Iyon po ang tunay na small miners. Tapos, noong pumasok po itong mga dayo na
tawag namin, mga bisita na gustong i-control ang area ay sinabi doon sa mga residente, “Tabi kayo. Mga
ilegal kayo.” Pero sila ang gumawa ng pagmimina, nang-agaw ng hanapbuhay, nanakot at papunta na po
sila sa malakihang pagmimina.

Kaya ang ginawa ng barangay kapitan ay naghanap ng solusyon kung papaano sila maging legal dahil ang
unang pag-aakala nila noong umpisa ay legal sila dahil sabi ng kapitana ayon sa regional director daw ng
DENR, “Kapag small mining, ipagpatuloy n’yo lang, kabuhayan n’yo iyan.”
Ngayon, noong nakakita na siya ng solusyon, pumunta siya sa MGB-Region V at sa DENR-Central
Office, MGB para asikasuhin ang Minahan ng Bayan permit ng barangay.
Bumisita ang MGB. Tiningnan nila ang area. They concluded this is fit for small mining for Minahan ng
Bayan Program. Iyon nga po ang ipinakita ni kapitana doon sa Sagip Kalikasan Task Force na nagsita ulit
noong araw ding iyon ng March 22, umaga. Ipinapakita niya ang authority ng national government na nadisregard,
isinasantabi ng mga taga-probinsiya at nanakot, “Kung hindi kayo aalis at titigil, babalik kami,
may backup.” Nakalagay po iyan sa kanilang mga testimonya.
Bakit alas-nuwebe ng gabi nangyari ang krimen? Dahil ito po ay isang island-barangay, ang ilaw po nila
ay mula alas-seis ng gabi hanggang alas-dyes ng gabi. Habang kumakain ang apat na nandoon, doon sila
pinasok bago patayan ng ilaw ang buong barangay.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker, e lumalabas po rito na ang mga suspek sa pagpaslang ay mga
nagpapanggap na sila ay maliliit na mga minero na mayroong hawak na permiso rin. Para bagang kinocontest
nila ang kanilang pinatay.
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Hindi po iyon ang kanilang pagpapakilala. Ang pagpapakilala po nila, sila ay
miyembro ng Sagip Kalikasan Task Force ng probinsya …
REP. ATIENZA. E mas masama po iyon. Nagpapanggap…
REP. FUENTEBELLA. … at sinabi po nila, “Ilegal kayong mga tao kayo,” tinakot, pero pagkatapos
tumigil ang mga residente, sila ang nagmimina.
REP. ATIENZA. Kaya nga po, Mr. Speaker, mas masama po ang larawan na nakikita natin sapagkat mga
tauhan ng pamahalaan ang gumawa ng pagpaslang. Na sila ay may hawak na kapangyarihan bilang
tagapagsagip ng kalikasan. E wala pong kamalay-malay at kalaban-laban ang mga maliliit na mga tunay
na nakikinabang sa intensyon at layunin ng Small-Scale Mining Act.
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Tama po iyon. Kaya po kailangan natin silang bantayan, hindi lamang po ang
mga biktima, kundi lahat ng ahensiya ng Executive Department para masiguro na ang mga maliliit nating
mga kababayan ay magkaroon ng hustisya, magkaroon po sila ng pag-asa, at magkaroon ng pagkalinga
mula sa ating Kapulungan at mula sa Executive Department para maibalik ang kaayusan sa aming distrito.
REP. ATIENZA. Tama po kayo, kagalang-galang na Kinatawan Fuentebella, sapagkat tunay na dapat
tayong mabahala rito sa ating Mababang Kapulungan kung ang gobyerno na nagbibigay ng
kapangyarihan sa mga nagbabantay ng kalikasan ay nagbibigay din ng lisensiya upang alisan ng
karapatan ang mga maliliit na nakikinabang sa batas. The Small-Scale Mining Act is supposed to be
benefiting the small miners in the communities, the poor sector of the communities, who have no way to
compete with the big mining corporations in the different areas of the country. Pero in this case that you
are bringing forth before us, you are practically saying that the people or rather, the supposed authorized
guardians of the environment, are the ones who perpetrated this heinous crime of murder of four people.

Alam po ninyo, kaya ko binabanggit ito, G. Fuentebella, ito ay hindi una ...
REP. FUENTEBELLA. You were a former DENR Secretary, I forgot.
REP. ATIENZA. ... at hindi po ito magiging huli sa walang kamalay-malay na pagpaslang ng mga buhay
ng ating mga mahihirap na kababayan na walang kamalay-malay at kalaban-laban, kapagka ang hinaharap
ay kapangyarihan ng mga malalaki at dambuhalang korporasyon na nagpapanggap na maliliit at
kumukuha ng awtoridad sa ating local governments on small-scale mining activities. This is a rampant
abuse of the intention of a law that is aimed to provide economic benefits for the poor sector in the
different parts of our country. Ito po ay hindi huli sapagkat sabi ko nga sa inyo, as we discussed this
afternoon, I am sure that in many parts of the country, the poor are again being deprived, and worse,
being killed in the process of their just merely sharing in our natural wealth. Ang yaman po ng ating bansa
sa mineral—Camarines Sur is one example of a province with such wealth of natural resources—pero
kung ang makikinabang dito ay iyon lamang mga makapangyarihan at higit pa roon ay iyong mga tauhan
ng gobernador, aba ay hindi po tama iyan.
I would strongly urge the Gentleman from Camarines Sur to immediately act on this issue, not only to
prosecute the guilty parties but to legislate, and we would like to join you in this effort to legislate means
in protecting the opportunities for the poor to share in the natural wealth of our country. Dahil kung hindi
po, ang makikinabang sa yaman ng ating bansa ay puro mga mayayaman din. Kaya iyong ating kalagayan
na ang mahirap ay lalong naghihirap, at iyong mayaman ay lalong yumayaman, dahil na rin po sa abuso
ng mga maykapangyarihan na pinapanigan iyong malalaki at inaapi iyong maliliit. Hindi po ba ganoon
ang ating appreciation dito sa nangyaring ito?
REP. FUENTEBELLA. Opo.
REP. ATIENZA. Kaya we in the BUHAY Party-List would join you in whatever action you may want to
take, legal and, of course, legislative, so that we can protect the rights of those who should be benefiting
from the Small Mining Act at hindi ito maabuso ng mga mayayaman lamang, sapagkat kung talagang
susundin ang batas ay maganda po ang dapat ibunga nito. Pero kung ito po naman ay inaabuso lamang ng
mga local officials na may kapangyarihang mag-issue ng small mining permits ay mawawalan po ng
saysay ang bisa ng batas.
So again, we congratulate you for the courage to bring out the truth, to denounce this kind of violations of
basic rights of our people and to craft the necessary legislation so that we can protect our poor people
from the lopsided, uneven situation where the rich are even sided by provincial governments in their
intention to remove from our country and our land the minerals which we should all be sharing. Kung
talaga pong magagamit lamang ang tamang paraan, makikinabang ang ating bansa sa industriyang ito,
subalit kung hindi po naman ay ganito ang mangyayari. Kapagka iyong maliliit ay nagtangka pang
magpumilit ay buhay pa nila ang maitataya.
So, again, we reiterate our support for your efforts.
Salamat po.