Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has called on government officials to listen to the grievances of residents in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, who are protesting ongoing mining operations in their municipality.

The Catholic prelate issued the appeal following a recent confrontation between local environmental defenders and police forces in the province.

“These people are defending the land on which they live, the water they drink, the farms from which they derive their livelihood, and the environment their children will inherit,” David said.

“Especially at a time when climate change is already intensifying extreme rainfall, flooding and landslides, their fears about what extractive activities could do to forests and watersheds cannot simply be dismissed,” he added.

Defending the residents’ actions, David stressed that peaceful dissent is a constitutional right protected under Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution.

He also referenced Batas Pambansa 880, or the Public Assembly Act, stressing that law enforcement officers are required to exercise maximum tolerance when dealing with public assemblies.

“Peaceful dissent is not a crime,” David said. “Environmental defenders are not enemies of the state.”

While acknowledging that police officers were enforcing a court injunction secured by the mining firm, the cardinal cautioned law enforcement against taking sides.

“They are servants of the law and protectors of the people,” David said. “They must never be reduced — or even appear to be reduced — to the role of a private security force protecting corporate interests.”

The cardinal urged authorities to halt the criminalization of local residents and choose constructive dialogue over confrontation.