The residents’ barricade against Woggle Corporation was dismantled again on January 13 by order of the Bambang Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Barangay Bitnong, Dupax del Norte. The court also ordered the arrest of those who would defy its ruling. To ensure the order is enforced, PNP Bayombong deployed over a hundred police personnel armed with riot shields and assisted by Bureau of Fire Protection personnel on board a fire truck.

Residents sang “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” as Woggle Corporation workers tore down the metal gate erected at the barricade’s entrance. The company’s personnel failed to advance further after the gate was destroyed when more than 50 residents blocked the road. Church people and environmental defenders stood with the resisting residents.

The residents asserted blocking Woggle’s entry into their community even after the removal of the gate they built.

Prior to the incident, Bayombong Diocese Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao held a mass on January 12 for the residents and those maintaining the barricade. The diocese also called on local government officials to protect and defend the people. On January 9, the diocese sent a formal appeal to Nueva Vizcaya Governor Jose Gambito to issue an order directing Woggle Corporation to stop its operations. Separate appeals were also sent to Vice Governor Eufemia Dacayo, Vice Mayor RR Asuncion, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan of Dupax del Norte, urging them to support the call and take the side of the affected communities.

The residents’ lawyer filed motions to reconsider the nullification of the dismantling order but the RTC Branch 30 denied these on January 6.

Kalikasan People’s Network expressed solidarity with the people of Dupax del Norte in their struggle. The group joined the residents’ call for Judge Paul Attolba Jr. to inhibit from the case. Judge Attolba Jr. of RTC Branch 30 in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya is the same judge who dismissed the petition for a temporary environmental protection order against OceanaGold Philippines Inc. in April 2024.