The Bishop of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya called on local authorities to stand with the people of Dupax del Norte in their fight against mining plunder and state violence.
Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao in a Facebook post said the province’s governor, Jose “Jing” Valeriano Gambito, and vice governor Eufemia Ang Dacayo, need to speak against police violence on environment defenders of Barangay Bitnong who put up a barricade to prevent mining exploration in their community.
“We need elected officials to stand for justice for the environment and the people,” Bishop Mangalinao said.
The local Philippine National Police attacked the barricade on Friday after a Bayombong Court granted a temporary restraing order petition by British mining firm Woogle Corp. last week.
Videos of the police action show residents crying and terrorized as a phalanx of officers moved in on the residents at the barricade last Friday.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) called on the people to stand with the people of Dupax del Norte defending their livelihood and water sources threatened by Woogle.
The exploration covers 3,000 hectares across five barangays.
“The defiance of the villagers exposed how laws and judicial processes are weaponized to suppress dissent,” BAYAN said in a statement on Saturday.
“The police once again demonstrated that they protect and uphold the interest of plunderers and other exploiting classes. From enforcing Tokhang to arresting anti-corruption protesters and dispersing an anti-mining barricade, the police are consistent with being the attack dogs of fascist leaders, bureaucrat capitalists, and foreign plunderers,” the group added.
BAYAN added that the agencies which issued permits to the foreign mining company should also be investigated for failing to consult the local population and allowing the destruction of the environment.
“Corruption is not limited to flood-control projects but also extends to the suspicious issuance of permits and licenses for extractive activities,” BAYAN said.
Region 2 support group Taripnong Cagayan Valley also called for greater support to Dupax del Norte residents in their defense of their communities and ancestral lands.
“It is just to oppose the plunder of foreign corporations. Our natural resources should not fall prey to plunder and foreign benefit,” the group said in a separate statement. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
