Dupax del Norte residents successfully prevented Woggle Corporation planned dismantling of their barricade on December 10. This happened after the court once again issued a Writ of Preliminary Injunction or an order to dismantle the barricade in Sityo Keon, Barangay Bitnong on December 4.

On the day of the order’s implementation, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Office again deployed dozens of policemen carrying riot shields.

Barangay residents, church people, and anti-mining groups immediately gathered at the barricade to face the police and company personnel. A dialogue between the sheriff, company representatives, the PNP, and Atty. Fidel Santos, the lawyer for the anti-mining group, revealed that the sheriff and the company had insufficient required documents. The order also did not specify that the residents voluntarily barricaded against the injunction, thus had no basis to dismantle. This forced the sheriff to postpone the order’s enforcement.

According to the document, the court again issued the order siding with Woggle Corporation after the company paid a ₱1,500,000 bond on December 4.

The court first issued a Writ of Preliminary Injunction in October, which led to a violent dispersal of the barricade by the police and the arrest of three residents on October 17. The residents rebuilt the barricade after the incident.

The residents insisted that they have the right to barricade to protect their land. The anti-mining group called on the court to recognize their right and for the local government to side with the people. They also appealed to Woggle Corporation and the sheriff to return in the new year and respect Christmas.