Cheyenne Suarez

Advocates condemn arrest of Dupax Del Norte anti-mining protesters

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

Mina Trinidad

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Human rights advocates on Saturday condemned what they called the “excessive and unwarranted use of police force,” and the arrest of residents of Dupax Del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya protesting mining activities in the area.</p><p>Police arrested at least eight individuals, including seven protesters, following a court order to dismantle the barricade blocking mining firm Woggle Corp.’s access to an exploration site.</p><p>The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) said “violent dismantling of the community barricade constitutes a clear violation of the people’s rights to peaceful assembly, participation, and self-determination.”</p><p>Aside from arrests, PAHRA said the over 300 police officers’ enforcement of the court order also resulted in injuries and medical emergencies among residents.</p><p>“This is not law enforcement, this is intimidation,” said PAHRA Secretary-General Egay Cabalitan.</p><p>“When armed police are sent against unarmed residents defending their land, corporate interests are being placed above human rights,” he added.</p><p>The group stressed that the Dupax Del Norte residents have long opposed the project, citing a lack of genuine public consultation and informed consent.</p><p>Cabalitan noted: “Hindi krimen ang pagtatanggol sa lupa at kabuhayan.”</p><p>(Defending our land and livelihood is not a crime.)</p><p>“Ang mali ay ang paggamit ng dahas ng estado para ipilit ang proyektong ayaw ng komunidad,” he said.</p><p>(What is wrong is the state&#x27;s use of violence to force projects opposed by the community.)</p><p>&quot;The mining area includes titled land owned by one of the elderly women arrested. Also hauled off to the Dupax del Norte Police Station was Florentino Daynos, president of the anti-mining group in Dupax del Norte,&quot; rights alliance Karapatan and legal rights group Hustisya said in a separate statement as they demanded the release of those arrested.</p><p>In a statement, non-profit organization Save Cagayan Valley also condemned the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for what it said was the &quot;outright sale and opening up&quot; of natural resources to foreign firms and mining giants.The group urged the administration to hold accountable big corporations and corrupt public officials who destroy the environment and fail to uphold public interest, instead of punishing ordinary people who protect their lands and livelihoods.</p><p>“At sa halip na pakinggan ang lehitimong panawagan ng mga residente, muling tinutugunan ng estado ang usaping pangkalikasan sa pamamagitan ng dahas, militarisasyon, at kriminalisasyon,” it said.</p><p>(Instead of listening to residents&#x27; genuine calls, the state again deals with environmental issues through violence, militarization and criminalization.)</p><div> </div><div><strong>8 INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Eight individuals, including seven protesters and one from the exploration company, were arrested by the Philippine National Police following the implementation of the Writ of Preliminary Injunction in Sitio Keon, Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, on Friday, January 23.      </p><p>The writ, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 30, ordered the police to dismantle the barricade blocking Woggle Corp.’s access to its exploration site.</p><p>The residents and other anti-mining groups formed a human barricade opposing the police operation. They also held a Mass arm-in-arm before the police.</p><p>Six protesters in the human barricade&#x27;s front line were arrested and will be charged with resistance and disobedience to persons in authority.</p><p>A mining leader and a security guard were also arrested later.</p><p>This is the second implementation of the writ, following its partial enforcement on January 13.</p><p>Woggle Corporation originally sought a permanent injunction, which would permanently prohibit residents from opposing the mining activities, but the court said this needs to undergo proper hearing.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/10/18/bayombong-bishop-nanawagan-laban-sa-marahas-na-pagbuwag-sa-barikada-kontra-mining-exploration-0946">Bayombong bishop nanawagan laban sa &#x27;marahas&#x27; na pagbuwag sa barikada kontra mining exploration</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqdSKU6Gv9A?si=6IyR0vJNlYoP-jVv" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div>

<p>Human rights advocates on Saturday condemned “the excessive and unwarranted use of police force,” and the arrest of residents of Dupax Del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya for protesting against the mining activities in the area.</p>

Human rights advocates on Saturday condemned “the excessive and unwarranted use of police force,” and the arrest of residents of Dupax Del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya for protesting against the mining activities in the area.