Power, Corruption and Reprisals

The report details how nickel mining by companies like Marcventures in Surigao del Sur, Philippines, has led to severe environmental degradation, including the pollution of critical watersheds and the destruction of livelihoods for farmers and fisherfolk. It argues that these operations are enabled by 'political capture' and corruption involving powerful dynasties, specifically naming Martin Romualdez as a beneficial owner of Marcventures. The document further links this local destruction to the global demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, suggesting that nickel from these mines likely enters the supply chains of major manufacturers such as Tesla and Volkswagen. It concludes by advocating for mandatory due diligence legislation in the EU to hold multinational corporations accountable for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains.

• Nickel mining in Surigao del Sur has caused extensive environmental damage, including the pollution of the Alamio and Carac-an rivers with sediments and heavy metals, which has killed coral reefs and reduced fish production. Testing revealed "heavy" loads of cadmium and nickel in the water supply, making it unsafe for humans and aquatic life.
• Mining operations have severely impacted local agriculture by polluting irrigation canals with 'nickel-red mud' and contributing to deforestation, which has increased the frequency of flash floods in typhoon-prone coastal towns.
• The report alleges that the nickel mining industry in the Philippines is controlled by political dynasties, specifically identifying Martin Romualdez—cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—as a beneficial owner of Marcventures Mining and Bright Green Resources.
• Environmental and land defenders in Surigao del Sur face a systemic 'ecosystem of reprisals,' including death threats, surveillance, and 'red-tagging' as communist sympathisers. The report identifies the military as the primary lethal threat to defenders in the Philippines.
• A 15-year legal battle brought by the community against Marcventures ended in August 2025 with a verdict in favour of the company; the court ruled it was impossible to prove Marcventures was specifically responsible for the damage.
• The report traces nickel ore from Marcventures to Chinese traders and battery producers, asserting a strong likelihood that this nickel ends up in the value chains of global EV brands including Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi.

APA

Global Witness (n.d.). Power, Corruption and Reprisals. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/land-and-environmental-defenders/power-corruption-and-reprisals/

Chicago

Global Witness. Power, Corruption and Reprisals. n.d. https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/land-and-environmental-defenders/power-corruption-and-reprisals/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Witness |title=Power, Corruption and Reprisals |url=https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/land-and-environmental-defenders/power-corruption-and-reprisals/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalwitnessndpower, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{Power, Corruption and Reprisals}}, institution = {Global Witness}, url = {https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/land-and-environmental-defenders/power-corruption-and-reprisals/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }