A court dismissed a forcible entry case against a Catholic bishop and other environmental defenders in northern Philippines, a ruling the prelate said affirmed communities’ efforts to protect their land and water amid opposition to a mining exploration project.
In a statement issued June 24, Bishop Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong welcomed the dismissal of the complaint filed against him and fellow defenders involved in anti-mining barricades in Kasibu town in Nueva Vizcaya province.
“This outcome is not only a legal victory. It is a victory for truth, justice, and the collective efforts of communities who courageously stand to protect our land, water, and future generations,” he said.
The complaint was filed by Rosario Camma, who identified himself as the overall chieftain of the Bugkalot-Ilongot Indigenous Cultural Communities. It named Mangalinao, Fr. Christian Dumangeng, and several community leaders allegedly involved in maintaining barricades opposing mining exploration activities in Kasibu.
In its June 24 order, the Kasibu Municipal Trial Court dismissed the complaint after finding that it lacked jurisdiction over the action. The court said the plaintiff failed to establish a clear legal right that would justify the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and found that the relief sought was more consistent with an action for injunction than forcible entry.
The court also cited an NCIP-issued Certificate of Non-Overlap, which states that the exploration permit area covered by North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation does not overlap with ancestral domain lands. It said the plaintiff’s claim of prior possession was further disputed by certificates of title presented by some defendants and ruled that the complaint sought to restrain activities related to the anti-mining barricades rather than recover possession of the disputed areas, making forcible entry an improper remedy.
The dispute centers on a mining exploration project covering 4,456 hectares in the communities of Pao, Kakidugen, Paquet, Dine, and Catarawan in Kasibu. The exploration area overlaps portions of the Bugkalot-Ilongot ancestral domain. Residents, church groups, environmental advocates, and some Indigenous leaders have raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on watersheds, ancestral lands, and local livelihoods.
Residents established barricades in Paquet and Kakidugen villages in May to block the movement of fuel, equipment, and mineral samples linked to the exploration activities of North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation.
Mangalinao thanked supporters, Indigenous communities, environmental advocates, and legal defenders who stood with the respondents throughout the proceedings.
“We are deeply grateful for your prayers, solidarity, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout this challenging journey. You reminded us that we were never alone,” he said.
The bishop said the ruling would strengthen efforts to continue peaceful advocacy for environmental protection.
“We hold no resentment toward anyone. Instead, we move forward with renewed commitment to peaceful advocacy, environmental stewardship, and the protection of the sacred gift of creation,” he said.
“Let this moment remind us that defending our watersheds, our environment, and our people’s livelihood is not a crime—it is a shared moral responsibility,” he added.
