Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — A months-long protest against mining exploration in this northern Philippine town continues to draw attention as residents say their barricade represents deep concern for their children’s future.
Six indigenous women and a leader of an environmental group — all initially arrested during a police dispersal of the protest — have since been released. They were among those who established a human barricade along a barangay road to block vehicles and equipment belonging to Woggle Corporation, a mining firm with an exploration permit for the area.
“Our barricade is a symbol of our genuine love and compassion for our children and the next generation,” said an anti-mining protest leader, reflecting the sentiments of many residents.
The protests began in September 2025 after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau granted Woggle Corporation a permit to explore for minerals, including gold and copper, over a 3,100-hectare area in Barangay Bitnong and neighboring villages. Opponents argue that the mining exploration threatens local farmlands, water sources, and ancestral lands, with little evidence of genuine community consultation.
Authorities dismantled physical barricades and arrested several demonstrators in January 2026 after a regional trial court ordered their removal and warned of contempt charges for continued obstruction. However, residents say the demonstrations have resumed, and the human barricade remains intact in parts of the area.
Support for the protesters has come from various civil society and religious groups, who describe the conflict as both a human rights and environmental issue. Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc called for a legislative inquiry into mining practices and the suspension of related police and military operations.
Residents continue to maintain their stance that the barricade is a peaceful act of resistance — driven by concern for ecological integrity and future generations rather than opposition to development itself
