Sangilo Mines’ armed personnel and guards violently drove away, mauled, and pointed guns at small-scale miners who were eking a living in Barangay Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet on October 1. Owned by Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI), Sangilo Mines dismantled the pocket mine and expelled the miners they accuse of mining within the area it claims.

Ramon Palingpingan Fianza recorded on video the guards’ violent and brutal dispersal that destroyed the livelihood of miners and indigenous residents. A local mauled by the guards was rushed to the hospital. The Itogon Interbarangay Alliance (IIB-A) expressed deep concern over the ISRI personnel’s dispersal and its oppression of ordinary miners.

“It is not uncommon for private guards of large mining corporations to violently confront small-scale miners,” according to the IIB-A. These large corporations are also known for seizing indigenous peoples’ ancestral lands through legal manipulation, sheer force, or co-opting some landowners.

ISRI attempted to deny the violence and the incident in its Facebook statement. It deleted the post a few hours later because the violent dispersal and attack are indisputable from the video evidence.

The IIB-A called for an immediate investigation into the incident and accountability for the injuries and damages caused by ISRI personnel. According to the IIB-A, ISRI must not allow its guards and employees to assault and beat local residents who are merely trying to make a living.

Meanwhile, the alliance stated that if ISRI itself is proven to have ordered the attack, it would serve as a grim reminder of how far mining corporations will go in protecting their interests.

ISRI has been operating since the 1930s. The company is currently owned by Enrique Razon Jr’s Apex Mining Corporation Inc. Local residents strongly oppose the company and its planned mining expansion in Itogon.

“Nearly a century of mining has already taken its toll, yet the company continues to pursue projects that further erode both the fragile mountains and the struggling communities of Itogon,” the IIB-A said.