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Philex evicts residents, retrenched workers

TUBA, Benguet (April 18) — Residents and retrenched workers inside the mine camp of the Philex Mining Corporation are on the defensive as the company started evicting them from their bunkhouses as well as cottages last April 15. The move is part of the company’s “camp decongestion program”.

Over 30 families have been evicted from their quarters as of April 18 as company personnel, escorted by security guards, took the residents’ and retrenched workers’ personal belongings. The demolition team was allegedly composed of plumbers, electricians and company housing personnel.

Many of the affected residents however stood their ground and defied the eviction.

“Aginggana saan pay a nalawag nu legal wenno saan ti panang-ikkat ti kumpanya kadakami ket awan ti karbenganda a basta-basta mangpapanaw a kasla agab-abug ti aso”, said one retrenched worker. (The company has no right to drive us away until the legality of our retrenchment is determined).

The demolition team forced open the bunkhouses and cottages, destroying door knobs and locks, residents said. They added that members of the media tried to enter the mine camp but were prevented by the guards at the checkpoint.

Teresita Manzano, one of the residents, prevented the members of the demolition team from entering her residence and stopped them from taking her belongings. Tarcila Colas, another resident, dissuaded the demolition team and threatened to sue them for grave coercion. She tried to take their pictures.

The residents filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and for the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction on the last week of February in an effort to stop the eviction. It was denied by Judge Fernando Cabato of Branch 62 of the Regional Trial Court on March 7.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Benguet called on Philex to recall its eviction against the residents but the company still proceeded.

The residents said that they would seek the help of the SP and other government and non-government entities again. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS

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