The Kasibu Municipal Trial Court (MTC) dismissed on June 24 the Forcible Entry case with Temporary Restraining Order, Writ of Preliminary Injunction and Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction against Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao and Fr Christian Dumangeng filed by Rosario Cama, who claims to be a tribal leader of the Bugkalot/Ilongot. The case named seven other individuals who supported the barricade against North Luzon Mining Corporation (NLMRC).

Hundreds of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya residents, church people, indigenous people and environmental defenders marched from St. Patrick of Ireland in Kasibu concurrent with the hearing on June 23 to denounce the fabricated case and to show support for the accused. They earlier held a Mass.

The case filed against church people and environmental defenders concerned the communities’ barricade against NLMRC’s planned exploration, which began in January 2026 despite the lack of consultation with the community.

Residents built a barricade in May to block the entry of fuel supplies, equipment, and mineral samples. They expressed fear about the project’s possible detrimental effects on water sources, ancestral lands, and people’s livelihood.

Community members insist they have the right to build and continue the barricade because they own the land where it stands.

“We reject mining as most of our work is agricultural. They already destroyed all the land they excavated,” Bugkalot community leader and co-accused Leijin Dugay said.

According to the Alyansa ng Novo Viscayano para sa Kalikasan (Alliance of Novo Viscayano for the Environment), the case is clearly a tactic by the mining company to sow discord, disunite the community and to weaken their struggle for the environment and livelihood. In addition to the cases, community members face intimidation and coercion, including the presence of the military and intelligence agents at the barricades and public facilities.