Court orders police to enforce TRO in mining dispute

The Philippine National Police was ordered by a Nueva Vizcaya court to enforce the 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against anti-mining protesters in Dupax del Norte and affirmed the legality of Woggle Corp.’s exploration permit, authorizing the company to proceed with its government-mandated mineral exploration activities.

The court order issued 16 October 2025, directed the PNP of Nueva Vizcaya and the Sheriff to fully implement the TRO previously issued by the court and “further authorized and directed to arrest any persons who willfully disobey, obstruct, or resist the implementation of the said order, and to file appropriate charges against them for indirect contempt of court and other offenses under existing laws.”

The order clears the way for the resumption of exploration in Barangay Bitnong, one of the five barangays of Dupax del Norte town, where protesters had blocked access by setting up a barricade along the road and preventing company personnel from entering the site.

Presiding Judge Paul R. Attolba Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya issued an initial 72-hour TRO on 10 October 2025 against Florentino Daynos, Jun Roduta and other protesters, identified in the petition.  This was eventually extended to 20 days, or until 30 October 2025.

The order stops the defendants from installing or maintaining a barricade along Keon Barangay Road, Sitio Keon in Barangay Bitnong, specifically near the area adjoining Keon Road and the National Highway Aritao-Quirino Road.

They were also ordered to stop preventing vehicles, personnel, employees, contractors, representatives and agents of Woggle Corp. from passing or entering Keon to access the exploration area.

The court said the firm demonstrated that it would suffer irreparable damage if the TRO was not issued, as the barricade would cause significant disruption to its exploration, resulting in substantial losses.

“The court finds that the plaintiff has shown as clear and unmistakable right that is being threatened or violated where they will suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury if the TRO is not issued immediately,” the court said.

It also asked the Provincial Director of the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office to accompany the sheriff in serving the court order.

The mining firm was issued Exploration Permit No. 00030-II by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on 4 August 2025, covering 3,101.11 hectares in five barangays in the municipality of Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.

Represented by Fredo Mina, employee of drilling contractor Indodrill, and a representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), were prevented from entering the exploration area on several occasions between 6 and 7 October 2025.

The court said it considered the allegations and documentary evidence in deciding the case, noting that Woggle Corp. was issued a valid and existing exploration permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB). It noted that the respondents without legal authority had barricaded the road leading to the exploration site, preventing the plaintiff from conducting its lawful exploration.

The TRO will enable Woggle and FCF Corp. to determine the full potential of mineral resources that can be developed as a major economic driver that will benefit the province of Nueva Vizcaya.