The Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya ordered seven residents of Dupax del Norte to explain why they should not be charged with “indirect contempt” for resisting the enforcement of a writ of preliminary injunction. The writ banned residents from blocking the entry of mining equipment belonging to Woggle Corporation in Barangay Bitnong.

The court named Florentino Daynos, Janette Macario, Sonette Nginsayan, Adelia Modi, Krislyn Pocday, Analiza Balliao, and Amelia Rabino. Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel arrested them on January 23 for barricading the entry of Woggle Corporation into their community. They were ordered to submit an explanation within 10 days, and the hearing is scheduled for FebruJary 12. Indirect contempt carries a penalty of ₱30,000 or six months of imprisonment.

The order was based on the sheriff’s account that Daynos allegedly used his Facebook account to call on residents to gather and oppose the writ. The court considered Daynos’ act as “contempt of court” for allegedly encouraging others to defy its order. The summons also cited various obstructions set up by residents, including bamboo, steel gates, and large logs in the middle of the road. They also dug large holes in the road. These were described as “obstructions” to “the lawful enforcement of the court’s order,” the judge said.

The violent dispersal of the people’s barricade in Dupax del Norte and the arrest of the seven residents in January drew widespread condemnation both in the country and abroad.