Release Kasibu defenders, respect the people’s right to defend their land

We strongly condemn the arrest of KIRED members Leijin Dugay, Donny Dugay, and June Fiataccag at the Pacquet barricade in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, on August 19, 2026.

At around 7:30 AM, approximately 40 police officers went to the Pacquet barricade to facilitate the entry of seven barrels of fuel. The community had opposed the entry of the fuel for a government road project in Barangay Pao due to its reported connection to the Northern Luzon Minerals Resources Corporation (NLMRC), whose backhoe was allegedly to be used for the project.

While negotiations were ongoing between KIRED leaders and officials of Barangay Pao, police arrested Ifugao-Bugkalot woman Leijin Dugay, her father Donny Dugay, and fellow Indigenous community member June Fiataccag. The three are among the community members who have long stood with the people of Kasibu in the barricade against NLMRC's mining operations.

The community has the right to peacefully assemble, express their opposition, and seek redress of grievances, especially when decisions affecting their lands, livelihoods, and environment are made without their meaningful participation. Their opposition to the entry of fuel and equipment linked to a mining company must not be met with arrest and harassment.

The government's police forces must serve and protect the people—not corporations, mining interests, or profit. The arrest of community and environmental defenders cannot be the government's response to legitimate concerns over destructive mining and the protection of Indigenous lands and livelihoods.

Even after the arrests, police returned to the Pacquet barricade at around 4:20 PM and again attempted to facilitate the entry of the fuel. Such actions demonstrate the state's continued failure to listen to and protect the community, while enabling activities that threaten their lands.

We stand with the people of Kasibu in their call to protect their lands, environment, and communities from destructive mining operations.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Leijin Dugay, Donny Dugay, and June Fiataccag; an end to the harassment and intimidation of land and environmental defenders; and genuine community participation in all decisions affecting their territories.

See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1744727996654144

Reference: Beverly Longid, National Convener