hile environmental destruction due to mining operations has been ongoing hence for decades, conflicts intensified over unpaid royalties from a Mining Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) for nickel ore exploration in Taganito, granted in 2008. According to the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, indigenous communities are entitled to at least 1% of gross production for mining operations on their ancestral lands.

200 armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked TMC and the Taganito HPAL processing plant in Claver town to punish and block their destructive activities, killing four guards, torching the mining equipment and taking hostage of several mining officials.

Residents reported to suffer from serious health problems and crucial livelihood resources, i.e. fish stocks, were heavy polluted. Evidence of pollution was supported by an analysis of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (UP-NSRI) of the University of the Philippines, showing extremely high levels of nickel in water and soil.

a group of indigenous Mamanwa from the Taganito Mamanwa Association set up a human barricade at the highway along Taganito, Claver, to demand the royalties which they were claiming since 2008