Philippines: Barricade in Benguet Successfully Defended by Residents

We hereby share an unofficial translation of an article published by Philippine Revolution Web Central on September 9.

On September 8, residents of the barangays [translators note: villages] of Bulalacao and Guinaong in Mankayan, Benguet successfully prevented the planned dismantling of their barricade and the entry of Crescent Mining Development Corp. (CMDC) into the community.

The residents blocked the Guinaong-Colocal Road using their vegetable delivery trucks. Due to the community’s uprising, MCDC personnel and court officials also left at around 3 p.m. without implementing the court order.

Since September 1, the community has been on alert and vigilant against the implementation of the Writ of Preliminary Injunction issued by the court on August 20. According to the decision of the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 under Judge Daniel Mangallay, the dismantling of the barricade and the arrest and prosecution of anyone violating the order were ordered.

Residents were also barred from preventing CMDC employees, vehicles, equipment, and machinery from entering the area. According to the court, CMDC has spent over ₱50 million since August 2025 due to the barricade. The company could also lose local and foreign investors if it cannot conduct exploration for the mineral.

Mangallay also ordered the Mankayan Municipal Police Station, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police, and nearby police units to assist the acting sheriff and CMDC in enforcing the order. CMDC was required to post a ₱500,000 bond before the order could be enforced.

The community began the barricade in August 2025, following an earlier barricade in June 2022 that had halted CMDC’s excavations. That year, the Supreme Court upheld that MPSA restorations within indigenous lands require Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

The residents strongly oppose CMDC’s exploration activities and the renewal of their Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA). They state the agreement was renewed without the required FPIC from the affected indigenous communities.