Police disperse human barricade in Nueva Vizcaya, arrest seven

Police in Nueva Vizcaya said a human barricade formed along the Keon barangay road in Dupax del Norte was dispersed peacefully, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals, including self-professed anti-mining leader Florentino Daynos, for obstructing the lawful implementation of a court order.

The Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office (NVPPO) said the operation was conducted in strict compliance with court directives and under the principle of maximum tolerance.

“Our actions are anchored entirely on lawful court orders. The PNP did not initiate this enforcement; we merely assisted the court in the execution of its writ,” said Police Col. Paul T. Bometivo, provincial director of the NVPPO.

Police said they were enforcing orders issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Bayombong, presided over by Judge Paul R. Attolba Jr., directing the implementation of a writ of preliminary injunction and authorizing the arrest of individuals who would obstruct its execution.

The writ covers access along the Keon barangay road leading to mining exploration areas operated by Woggle Corporation, holder of Exploration Permit No. 00030-II issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Court records showed that while earlier physical barricades had already been removed, groups opposing the project later formed human barricades that blocked the movement of company personnel and contractors.

The court ruled that such actions constituted patent disobedience and a circumvention of judicial authority. In its 19 January order, the court expressly directed sheriffs, with police assistance, to arrest — without further court instruction — any individual who refuses, resists or obstructs the implementation of the writ. The court also ordered the identification of those involved for possible indirect contempt of court, punishable by fines and imprisonment under the Rules of Court.

Bometivo said police operations were carried out with restraint and professionalism.

He added that officers observed maximum tolerance at all times, did not use unnecessary force and resolved the situation peacefully, stressing that the priority was to maintain public order while respecting constitutional rights and human dignity.

The NVPPO reiterated that the Philippine National Police is not a party to the mining dispute and exercises no independent discretion in determining enforcement actions.

Bometivo said the operation was a matter of judicial enforcement and that respect for court orders is indispensable to the rule of law.

Police also reminded stakeholders that disputes related to mining activities fall under the jurisdiction of appropriate regulatory and judicial bodies under Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and should not be addressed through self-help measures that undermine court authority.

The NVPPO appealed for continued restraint and cooperation, warning that defiance of court orders exposes violators to further legal and contempt liabilities.