Pro-environment groups have raised concerns over the environmental and societal impacts of the Philippine military’s recent use of aerial bombings and strikes in Ilocos Sur and Abra provinces.

The Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and the Environmental Defenders Congress claimed the air strikes “pose threats to human safety and may cause damage to the environment, with the full impact still unknown”. 

On April 2-3, residents reported incidents of helicopter and drone strikes in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, and Pilar, Abra. Footage circulating on social media showed the helicopters discharging live ammunition.

Environmental groups, however, believe that the military operations are connected to the mining operations in the region. 

Kalikasan PNE said that in towns near the airstrike sites, “there are seven exploration permits, two mining applications, and one Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), covering 129,396.8188 hectares”.

The group also claimed that the military operation is “part of a broader trend since July 2022”, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.

“These locations, rich in wildlife and ecosystems, face a threat from the strikes,” the group said in a statement.

At least 137 families of Pilar, Abra fled their homes due to the military operations.

The groups urged the government “to undertake robust and independent research to investigate the ecological impacts of bombing, airstrikes, and other military operations” and ban “indiscriminate aerial strikes and bombing in ecologically fragile regions”.