3 IP leaders protesting mining venture out on bail

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental and human rights groups condemned the arrest of three Indigenous Peoples leaders of Kasibu Intertribal Response for Ecological Development (Kired) during negotiations between police and residents at the barricade of a mining community in Nueva Vizcaya. 

The three IP leaders, Leijin Dugay, Donny Dugay and June Fataccad, were charged on Aug. 19 with grave coercion and disobedience, violations under the Revised Penal Code, but were subsequently released on bail that day.

The three leaders were among those securing the barricade set up by residents against further exploration by mining firm North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation (NLMRC) in Barangay Paquet in Kasibu town.

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The Center for Environmental Concerns, Human Rights Watch and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (PNE) issued separate statements demanding the immediate dropping of charges against them. The groups said the arrests were arbitrary and made without any warrants.

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READ: Nueva Vizcaya residents want mining firm’s permit revoked

Up to 40 police officers came with barangay officials to facilitate the entry of a truck with seven barrels of crude oil supposedly for a public road project, but the residents suspected the oil would be used by  NLMRC.  

Kired members allowed only five out of seven drums to pass through the barricade. Amid the negotiations with police, the three IP leaders were arrested. 

Attacked and harassed  

The Center for Environmental Concerns said the arrests showed a “longstanding pattern of deliberate attempts from the collusion of state and private actors to stamp out local dissent” and called on the public to remain vigilant of such threats.  

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“These arrests follow a prolonged period of presence and harassment of armed police personnel at the barricade, as well as multiple SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) suits filed against anti-mining leaders and people’s lawyers,” the group added. 

Lian Buan, Southeast Asia researcher of Human Rights Watch, said the arrests and the “legal costs associated with fighting these cases send a chilling effect to a community already exhausted from months of protesting to protect their land.”  

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She urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to immediately act on the concerns of the communities affected by mining and ensure that any actions are kept peaceful. 

The Kalikasan PNE said attacks and harassment on local residents have been attacked and harassed since they put up the barricade in May to push back against large-scale mining.  

“The mining company proceeded with their exploration despite lack of community consultation, bypassing processes and threatening the community’s environment and livelihood,” the group said. 

The DENR and the Mineral Geosciences Bureau issued the permit in June last year, allowing NLMRC to explore more than 4,400 hectares of land in Kasibu.

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IP leaders and members have been pressing the two agencies to revoke the permit, as it was granted without prior consultation with the affected community. /cb