THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Nueva Vizcaya has ordered the arrest against individuals who are blocking the exploration activities of mining firm Woggle Corporation in Dupax del Norte.
In a two-page order, Judge Paul Attobal Jr. of Branch 30 of the RTC in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya also issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against anti-mining protesters and directed the National Police (PNP) to arrest individuals ‘who willfully disobey, obstruct, or resist’ the implementation of the TRO.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) granted exploration permit to Woggle Corp., an affiliate of FCF Minerals Corporation, last August covering 3,101.11 hectares in five barangays in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.
Woggle Corp., represented by Fredo Mina, employees of drilling contractor Indodrill, and a representative from the DENR were prevented from entering the exploration area on several occasions between October 6 and 7, 2025. This prompted the company to seek refuge from the court by filing a complaint with application for a TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction or both against the protesters namely Florentino Daynos, Jun Roduta and 18 others.
The trial court initially issued a 72-hour TRO in favor of Woggle Corp. on October 10, 2025 enjoining the protesters from obstructing the mining firm from conducting its lawful exploration activities within the area.
Owing to the non-implementation of the said order due to the hostile acts and resistance of the protesters who put up a barricade at the road going to the exploration site, the trial court issued another order last October 13 extending the TRO for a period of 20 days.
When the implementing sheriff again attempted to enforce the restraining order, the same group of individuals refused to lift the barricade and allegedly threatened to resort to violence against the court representatives.
‘Such defiance constitutes a direct affront to the authority and dignity of this Court,’ the trial court said.
It maintained that the TRO is a lawful order and binding that must be respected by all persons, whether parties to the case or not.
‘Willful defiance thereof not only constitutes contempt of court but also an act obstructing the administration of justice, for which those responsible may be arrested and prosecuted,’ it added.
The TRO stops the defendants from installing or maintaining a barricade along Keon Barangay Road, sitio Keon in barangay Bitnong, specifically near the area adjoining Keon Road and the National Highway Aritao-Quirino Road.
The defendants were also ordered to stop preventing vehicles, personnel, employees, contractors, representatives and agents of Woggle Corp. from passing or entering Keon to access the exploration area.
In granting the TRO, the court agreed with Woggle Corp. that it would suffer irreparable damage if the protesters were not restrained as the barricade would cause significant disruption to its exploration, resulting in substantial losses.
‘The court finds that the plaintiff has shown a clear and unmistakable right that is being threatened or violated where they will suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury if the TRO is not issued immediately,’ the court said.
The TRO will enable Woggle and FCF Corp. to determine the full potential of mineral resources that can be developed as a major economic driver that will benefit the province of Nueva Vizcaya.
FCF Minerals, incorporated in 2001, operates the Runruno Gold Project in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, which has been producing gold since 2016.
It has generated over P5.71 billion in taxes, fees, and duties since commercial operations began in 2017.