ATM condemns unwarranted use of police force in Dupax del Norte barricade
- Alyansa Tigil Mina
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) condemns the unwarranted use of force by police authorities in their attempt to dismantle the barricade by residents of Dupax del Norte, who are firmly resisting the exploration activities of Woggle Corporation.
More than 300 policemen are trying to dismantle the barricade by virtue of a court order issued by Regional Trial Court 30 in Bambang. According to initial reports from the ground, six persons have already been arrested, several were injured while two individuals fainted. Police were also reported to have been using chainsaws to ensure the passage of the company’s drilling equipment.
Describing the number of deployed policemen as an "overkill", Rene Pamplona, ATM Chair) said, “This brutal display of police force is unacceptable. For one, the residents have no other recourse but to put up a barricade to register their opposition to mining and to Woggle’s exploration activities.”
"Woggle Corporation and the government have utterly failed to conduct genuine public consultations and obtain the communities’ consent. No exploration activities should therefore be permitted and the people’s resistance should be respected," he added.
Pamplona further expressed exasperation over the court's decision granting the mining company’s plea for a preliminary injunction. “It is deplorable that government institutions, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and now the regional trial court, have taken the side of the mining corporation to the detriment of communities and the environment.”
He called on the provincial government and other local government units (LGUs) to stand with the people and legislate resolutions and ordinances against mining operations. “As representatives of the people of Dupax del Norte, LGU officials must honor and respect the position of their constituents. They should likewise choose environmental protection and the welfare of the communities over destructive large-scale mining.”
Pamplona further said that the alliance fully supports the demand for the revocation of Woggle’s exploration permit. “We stand in solidarity with the protestors, and we laud their firm conviction and undaunted commitment to protect their communities from the inevitable destruction caused by mining operations,” Pamplona said.
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