Residents of Barangay Bitnoy, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, opposed a court ruling issued on October 14 that favored the Woggle Corporation’s Complaint with Application for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction against their barricade. The order ordered the residents to stop with its barricade and blocking Woggle Corporation’s personnel from entering the mining exploration site until October 30.
Residents said the barricade is justified as it stands on their own land, and the company’s exploration permit is invalid since it did not comply with the required conducting of consultations with the barangay residents.
On the day of the court hearing on October 13, many residents and supporters attended to show their opposition to the planned mining activity in Dupax del Norte.
Despite this, the court sided with the company, declaring that the latter had the right to proceed with its exploration under the permit granted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in August. The court also claimed that the barricade would cause “irreparable injury” and financial loss to the company by delaying its exploration work. The sheriff was ordered to enforce the decision.
The people of Dupax del Norte expressed anger over what they viewed as an unjust ruling and vowed to remain firm until the company is expelled from their town. They also called on the local government to stand up and defend the residents.
