A northern Philippine bishop said a lawsuit stemming from opposition to mining exploration in Nueva Vizcaya will not deter the Church from defending communities and the environment.
Speaking during a June 21 homily, Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong said he could not remain silent in the face of concerns raised by residents and Indigenous communities opposing mining activities.
“I could have chosen not to speak up, but if I do not speak up, my sin would be great before God,” he said.
The prelate said standing up for what he believes is right comes with risks. “We who are doing what is right are the ones facing lawsuits,” he said.
“When we stand up for what is right, even if we get imprisoned or charged,” he added.
In a text message to LiCAS News, Mangalinao said his diocese would soon issue a statement outlining its position on the case and recent developments related to opposition to mining exploration in Nueva Vizcaya.
The remarks came days after Mangalinao and several others were named as defendants in a civil complaint filed before the Municipal Trial Court in Kasibu town.
The complaint was filed by a certain Rosario Camma, who claimed to be the Overall Chieftain of the Bugkalot/Ilongot Indigenous Cultural Communities. It seeks relief in a forcible entry case and asks the court to issue injunctive orders against the respondents.
Also named in the complaint are Fr. Christian Dumangeng, Florentino Daynos, six other respondents, and persons allegedly involved in maintaining barricades within the Bugkalot/Ilongot ancestral domain.
In a June 17 order, Judge Herson Valmores denied the request for a temporary restraining order against the barricade.
“The court finds that there is no necessity to issue Temporary Restraining Order as prayed by the plaintiff,” the order said.
The court scheduled a June 23 hearing on the application for a writ of preliminary injunction.
The dispute centers on opposition to mining exploration covering 4,456 hectares in the communities of Pao, Kakidugen, Pacquet, Dine, and Catarawan. Residents, church groups, environmental advocates, and some Indigenous leaders have raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on watersheds, ancestral lands, and local livelihoods.
Mangalinao has been among the most visible Church leaders supporting communities opposed to the exploration activities.
During his homily, he directly addressed the case and explained why he joined the protest action.
“We were sued for defending the environment in the mountains of Kasibu,” he said, adding that he went to the barricades “in solidarity with the people who do not want mining—destructive mining.”
“We defend the environment, the mountains, the rivers, the livelihood, and the people,” he said.
The case has drawn support from religious congregations and Church organizations.
In a statement, the Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista–Philippines expressed “profound solidarity and prayerful support” for Mangalinao and the other advocates named in the complaint. The Franciscans said the protection of communities and creation “should never be treated as acts deserving of punishment or intimidation.”
The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines and its mission partners also voiced support for the bishop, saying his actions arise from “his pastoral responsibility as shepherd of the Diocese of Bayombong” and the Church’s commitment to safeguard human dignity and creation.
Lawyer Fidel Santos, counsel for the defendants, described the complaint as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, or SLAPP suit, which he said was intended to discourage environmental advocacy and public opposition to mining projects.
Drawing from the Gospel reading from Matthew 10:26-33, Mangalinao urged Catholics not to allow fear to prevent them from speaking out. “Do not fear the truth,” he said.
For the bishop, the lawsuit has not changed his position. “You may suffer for speaking the truth, you may die for speaking the truth, but the truth will triumph in the end,” he said.
