3 arrested, others injured: Barricade protest vs "mining" turns violent

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Three persons were arrested and an undetermined number of people were injured Thursday afternoon when violence erupted during their protest action, against the alleged black sand mining, at the dredging site in Tambakan in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

After hours of failed negotiations and a stand-off between the protesters and the city authorities, tension escalated and ended with rocks being hurled against authorities. City Legal Officer Arnel Vivar, upon arrival at the scene, insisted on entering the barricaded road.

Uniformed policemen, armed with only billy clubs and truncheons, were on standby, while the protesters stood their ground. Some of the protesters were carrying images of  the Child Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary and a crucifix, while others kept on singing religious songs.

Some women became emotional during media interviews and appealed to the mayor to listen to their please, saying that they had initially believed in his leadership and had voted for him such that he had remained in his position for three consecutive terms.

It was the 7th day of protests held by Tambakan village residents and sympathizers who set up barricades along the road leading to the project site of the dredging contractor, Sino-Italy Philippines, Inc.

The barricades were intended to prevent Sino-Italy from accessing the project site after last week's alleged testing of their machines despite a cease and desist order from Governor Roel Degamo in the absence of  a dredging permit.

The city government, the police, residents and other stakeholders, over the past days, tried to negotiate with the protesters to remove the barricade. 

City Engineer Chester Reyes and a number of job order employees, upon orders of Tanjay City Mayor Lawrence Teves, were deployed to remove the barriers and disperse the people blocking the road to the project site. Reyes tried to convince the protesters but failed.

On Thursday morning, Mayor Teves requested the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO), headed by OIC director, Supt. Alet Virtucio, for police assistance as the city was ready to dismantle the barricades.

Virtucio deployed to the site at least 39 uniformed policemen from the Provincial Public Safety Company to act as Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team to maintain peace and order with instructions to follow the rules of engagement, avoid violent confrontation and exercise maximum tolerance.

However, when Vivar arrived at the scene, a scuffle took place between him and Msgr. Roberto Caday, vicar general of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Protesters stood their ground and resisted city government workers who pushed their way forward in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Vivar then allegedly grabbed Caday by the arm, prompting the protesters to protect the religious leader. In the ruckus, Vivar was pulled out of  the site to safety by some people apparently securing him.

Governor Roel Degamo, who was informed of  the commotion, spoke over the mobile phone to the people not to listen to and obey Vivar. He warned of filing proper charges against those violating the cease and desist order that he issued against Sino-Italy.

Police arrested at least three persons for allegedly throwing rocks at them and were brought to the police station for proper booking and filing of charges.

Virtucio said he is challenging all parties concerned to file proper charges if they were hurt or harassed during the confrontation and subsequent commotion at Tambakan.

He said Caday can also file a case against Vivar if  he wants to, but the religious leader said he has not decided on it yet.

Tension died down after the protesters saw that Vivar and other city government workers already left the area. The police troops also withdrew after Degamo gave the orders to Virtucio for this.

Protesters have warned that they will not leave the area for as long as the contractor will not abandon the project and leave the Tambakan site. (FREEMAN)