By CBCP News

Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong urged authorities Sunday to enforce the law fairly and pursue dialogue after 13 people were arrested while opposing mining exploration in Nueva Vizcaya.

In a pastoral statement, Mangalinao said 11 people were detained and two others hospitalized after they tried to block the reported entry of crude oil intended for mining exploration.

He acknowledged the authority of police and courts, saying any alleged offenses should be investigated and resolved through due process, but urged authorities to look beyond the charges.

“Huwag lamang nating tingnan ang mga kasong nakasulat sa papel. Tingnan din natin ang mga taong nasa likod ng mga kasong ito (Let us not look only at the charges written on paper. Let us also see the people behind those charges),” Mangalinao said.

He said the 13 are parents, farmers, workers and community members, stressing that poverty must never diminish their rights.

“Ang pagiging mahirap ay hindi nangangahulugang mas kaunti ang kanilang mga karapatan,” Mangalinao said. (Being poor does not mean they have fewer rights.)

He said residents have the right to question mining exploration because of concerns over farms, water sources, forests and their children’s future.

“Ang lupa ay tahanan. Ang lupa ay kabuhayan. Ang lupa ay pagkain. Ang lupa ay pamana. Ang lupa ay buhay (The land is home. The land is livelihood. The land is food. The land is inheritance. The land is life),” Mangalinao said.

The bishop questioned whether residents had been adequately heard and whether authorities had exhausted peaceful avenues for consultation before the dispute escalated.

He urged police to exercise restraint and compassion, reminding them that those arrested remain members of the communities they serve.

“Ang labintatlong taong ito ay hindi natin mga kaaway. Sila ay bahagi ng ating pamayanan. (These 13 people are not our enemies. They are part of our community.),” he said.

Mangalinao also called on government officials and mining interests to listen directly to communities affected by exploration, saying permits do not automatically guarantee community acceptance.

He urged all sides to avoid further confrontation and seek a peaceful resolution based on facts, dialogue and respect.

“Maupo tayo at mag-usap. Makinig tayo. Magsalita tayo nang tapat. Suriin natin ang mga katotohanan (Let us sit down and talk. Let us listen. Let us speak honestly. Let us examine the facts),” he said.

The bishop also urged protesters and their supporters to defend their rights peacefully and reject anger, violence and hatred.

“Ang ating pakikibaka para sa katarungan ay dapat laging may paggalang sa dignidad ng tao (Our struggle for justice must always respect human dignity),” Mangalinao said.

The Diocese of Bayombong has been involved in disputes over mining exploration in Nueva Vizcaya, with Mangalinao accompanying communities raising environmental and livelihood concerns.

In June, a municipal court in Kasibu dismissed a case against Mangalinao and other anti-mining advocates linked to opposition to an exploration project.

Mangalinao said the latest arrests should not deepen the conflict but instead provide an opportunity for government, communities, police and mining interests to seek a peaceful settlement.

“Hindi namin hinihiling na isantabi ang batas. Ang hinihiling namin ay ang batas ay ipatupad nang may katarungan, malasakit … at pantay na paggalang sa dignidad ng bawat isa (We are not asking that the law be set aside. We are asking that it be enforced with justice, compassion … and equal respect for everyone’s dignity),” he said.

TOP 📸 | Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong. DIOCESE OF BAYOMBONG