(LiCAS News): Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippines, said a lawsuit stemming from opposition to mining exploration in will not deter the Church from defending communities and the environment.
Speaking during a June 21 homily, he said that 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.
“We who are doing what is right are the ones facing lawsuits,” the bishop said, adding,
Bishop 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 the bishop 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 claims to be the Overall Chieftain of the Bugkalot/Ilongot Indigenous Cultural Communities.
Also named in the complaint are Father Christian Dumangeng, the diocese’s former social action commission director; Florentino Daynos, six other respondents, and persons allegedly involved in maintaining barricades within the Bugkalot/Ilongot ancestral domain.
I could have chosen not to speak up, but if I do not speak up, my sin would be great before God
Bishop Mangalinao
In a June 17 order, Judge Herson Valmores denied the request for a temporary restraining order against the barricade.
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“The court finds that there is no necessity to issue Temporary Restraining Order as prayed by the plaintiff,” the order said.
The court had scheduled a June 23 hearing on the application for a writ of preliminary injunction.
The dispute centres 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.
Bishop 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.
You may suffer for speaking the truth, you may die for speaking the truth, but the truth will triumph in the end
Bishop Mangalinao
“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.”
He said, “We defend the environment, the mountains, the rivers, the livelihood, and the people.”
The case has drawn support from religious congregations and Church organisations.
The Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista–Philippines expressed “profound solidarity and prayerful support” for Bishop 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.
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.
“You may suffer for speaking the truth, you may die for speaking the truth, but the truth will triumph in the end,” Bishop Mangalinao said.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, expressed his support.
“Whether fighting for his own life or standing up for what he believes is life-giving for his people, Bishop Elmer has never lacked courage,” Cardinal David said.
