Manicani is one of the islands of Guiuan, Eastern Samar with a total land area of 1,166 hectares. HMC, owned by the San Juan Congressman Ronaldo Zamora and his brother Salvador Zamora, acquired mining rights covering the whole island in January 1991. In May 1, 2001, the DENR issued a suspension of HMC's operation including the Ore Transport Permit (OPT) due to the protest of the residents. During the protest actions in 2001 one local protester was killed and 3 seriously wounded by the security forces of HMC. The people of Manicani will put their lives to protect their community, livelihood and environment against the transgression and destructive operation of Hinatuan Mining. Since November 18, more than 300 people formed a human barricade in Manicani Island to block the entry of HMC personnel who will transport stockpile of nickel out of the island. The people fear that this will lead again to the re-opening of the HMC's operation. Based on DENR website, HMC's $4 million Manicani Nickel Project is one of the priority project under the mining revitalization program of the Arroyo administration. The DENR allowed HMC to use the open-pit mining method to extract nickel in the island. If not for the people action in 2001, HMC could have rendered the island completely devastated. Local residents have reported that the mining operation of HMC aggravated the heavy siltation of their coastal areas, destruction of coral reefs and decline of fish catch. Save Manicani Movement (SaMaMo) the local people's organization, said that "Long before we have made it loud and clear that our stand is not to allow HMC to destroy the people of Manicani and our beautiful island. We, as one people, oppose the mining operation in Samar and is calling for the permanent closure of any mining operation in the island."