PNP Region 2 defends police role in Kasibu mining standoff; MGB calls for dialogue, respect for law

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya – The Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) has defended the presence of police personnel during the October 30 confrontation at a community barricade in Barangay Paquet, Kasibu, saying they were there to assist the provincial sheriff in implementing a court order and not to serve the interests of a mining company.

In an information graphic posted on November 1, PRO 2 said its personnel went to the area to assist the Provincial Sheriff in enforcing a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a court in Nueva Vizcaya.

The regional police office said seven police officers were injured during the confrontation, but maintained that its personnel exercised maximum tolerance, restraint, and professionalism while observing the principles of human rights.

The police also stressed that they do not serve the interests of any private company or accept payment from mining firms, emphasizing that their presence was intended to maintain peace and order and ensure public safety.

The confrontation stemmed from the enforcement of a TRO directing the removal of barricades erected by residents opposing the mineral exploration activities of North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation (NLMRC).

The order, issued by the Regional Trial Court in Bambang on October 27, directed the removal of obstructions along public roads in the area. It stemmed from a complaint filed by NLMRC and the Bugkalot Confederation of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora Inc. against individuals maintaining the barricades.

According to PRO 2, the tension escalated when the sheriff, assisted by police personnel, attempted to dismantle the barricades. Police claimed that members of the group threw stones and sticks at operating personnel, damaged the windshield of a boom truck, and seized police equipment, including shields, a bolt cutter, and an officer's helmet.

The police reported that one officer was grabbed and beaten, while six others sustained injuries.

PRO 2 said the standoff eventually ended following a dialogue between the provincial sheriff and legal representatives of the protesting group. It claimed that the barricades were subsequently dismantled and the seized equipment returned.

However, a report by Bulatlat published on November 1 said police withdrew from enforcing the TRO while residents maintained their barricade, reflecting a different account of the incident's outcome.

MGB recognizes community concerns, calls for restraint

Also on November 1, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued an official statement calling on all parties to respect the rule of law while recognizing the concerns of residents, Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, local stakeholders, and civil society groups affected by the proposed exploration activities.

The MGB acknowledged concerns over the possible effects of mineral exploration on ancestral lands, water resources, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

It clarified, however, that compliance with court orders concerning public access and the removal of obstructions on public roads is separate from the merits of the mining exploration project.

The bureau said NLMRC's exploration permit underwent the required evaluation and approval processes and remains valid unless suspended, cancelled, or modified in accordance with the law. It stressed that the permit remains subject to environmental safeguards and regulatory oversight.

The MGB also emphasized that peaceful opposition to mining is a legitimate exercise of democratic rights and civic participation, and that communities must be given opportunities to express their concerns through proper consultation and regulatory processes.

It rejected violence, intimidation, harassment, and threats from any party, urging all concerned to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.

As part of its response, the MGB Central Office and MGB Region II said they would facilitate a multi-stakeholder dialogue within the week involving the local government, affected communities, the Bugkalot Indigenous community, NLMRC, the PNP, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Commission on Human Rights, and other concerned government agencies.

The bureau also committed to stricter monitoring of the permit holder's compliance with environmental, social, health, safety, and other regulatory requirements.

It clarified that mineral exploration is distinct from actual mineral extraction, explaining that exploration is intended to gather scientific and technical information and must be conducted with due regard for environmental protection, public welfare, and Indigenous Peoples' rights.

Months-long opposition to exploration

Residents of Kasibu have maintained community barricades since May 2026 to prevent the entry of NLMRC personnel and equipment for mineral exploration.

The company holds Exploration Permit No. EP-000029-II, issued on June 25, 2025, covering a 4,456-hectare area for gold and copper exploration.

Residents and environmental groups have questioned the permit and raised concerns over alleged lack of genuine consultation, possible effects on ancestral lands, agricultural livelihoods, and water resources.

The dispute has also led to previous arrests. On August 28, 11 residents were arrested during a police operation to clear a barricade in Barangay Paquet. They were later released after posting bail.

The continuing conflict has drawn calls for dialogue from government agencies and renewed scrutiny from environmental and human rights groups.

With the latest statements from PRO 2 and the MGB, the central issues remain the implementation of the court order, the rights and concerns of affected communities, and the regulatory compliance of the exploration project.

Both agencies have called for the peaceful resolution of the dispute, with the MGB committing to bring the concerned parties together for dialogue.