30/08/2026
SOLIDARITY STATEMENT
on the Situation in Nueva Vizcaya
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6)
With deep concern and heavy hearts, we have witnessed reports of renewed tensions surrounding mining activities and the barricades in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The images and testimonies of confrontation, injuries, arrests, and the anguish of communities have caused grief to many who long for peace rooted in justice.
As followers of Christ, we affirm the God-given dignity of every human person. The lives of farmers, Indigenous Peoples, workers, law enforcement personnel, public officials, and all members of the community are sacred and must never be treated as expendable. Violence, intimidation, and the unnecessary use of force have no place in resolving conflicts that profoundly affect people's lives and the integrity of creation.
The Prelature of Infanta shares the same concern as the people of Nueva Vizcaya for the protection of our environment and for the welfare of the poor, who are often the first to bear the burden of environmental degradation and social conflict. As neighboring communities whose lives are intimately connected through our forests, watersheds, and ecosystems, we believe that caring for creation is not only an ecological responsibility but also a moral and Gospel imperative. The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are inseparable.
We stand in prayerful solidarity with families who are fearful for their future, especially those who depend upon the land, forests, and waters for their livelihood. We also recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples, whose voices deserve to be heard with respect and whose free, prior, and informed participation in decisions affecting their ancestral domains must be genuinely upheld in accordance with law and justice.
We call upon government authorities, law enforcement agencies, and all parties involved to exercise the highest restraint, protect human rights, and ensure that dialogue prevails over confrontation. We likewise urge transparency and accountability in all decisions concerning mining and environmental governance so that the common goodโnot narrow interestsโmay guide public action.
We appeal to all sectors to reject hatred and inflammatory rhetoric, even as we firmly pursue truth and justice. Lasting peace cannot be built by silencing legitimate concerns, nor can it be achieved through violence. Authentic peace is born where truth is spoken, justice is pursued, human dignity is protected, and creation is cared for as God's gift entrusted to all.
We invite the faithful to pray for Nueva Vizcaya, that wisdom may guide its leaders, courage may strengthen those seeking justice through peaceful means, and compassion may heal divisions within the community. May the Holy Spirit lead all toward reconciliation, where development respects both the dignity of people and the integrity of God's creation.
May the Lord, the Prince of Peace, bless Nueva Vizcaya with justice, healing, and lasting peace.
"The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love." (Psalm 33:5)
In Christ,
+Dave Dean Capucao, D.D.
Bishop-Prelate of Infanta
