An international human rights group condemned the alleged continuous violent evictions of residents and indigenous peoples in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, allegedly perpetrated by mining firm Oceana Gold Philippines Inc.

According to Amnesty International-Philippines, at least 100 families in Lower Dinaoyan, Barangay Didipio, Kasibu town in Nueva Vizcaya were “violently evicted” since October 1.

Oceana Gold entered into a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with the Philippine government in 2007 for the large-scale exploration, development and utilization of gold and copper in Barangay Didipio.

The Didipio Mining Project for gold and copper operated by Australian mining firm OceanaGold ceased operations in mid-2008 due to “lack in financial, technical, and managerial abilities,” the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) said.

“The continued violation of the rights to housing, security of person and protection from being forcedly evicted of the people of Kasibu and many others belonging to indigenous groups is absolutely unacceptable,” AI-Philippines section director Dr. Aurora Parong said.

“Amnesty International Philippines condemns the violent eviction and the deeply flawed process that led to it,” she added.

According to Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), over 100 indigenous families were reportedly force evicted since the operation of the mining company in the area.

Amnesty International’s Global Campaign to Demand Dignity explained that forced evictions are “evictions which are carried out without adequate procedural and legal safeguards, such as adequate notice, prior consultation with those affected, provision of legal remedies and adequate alternative accommodation.”