Protesting miners block Davao bridge

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Thousands of small-scale miners blocked on Thursday afternoon a bridge along the highway that connects Davao City and Mati City in Davao Oriental, stranding hundreds of commuters for several hours.

The miners were protesting the alleged endorsement of village officials for the operation of a multinational mining consortium of the National Development Corp. (Nadecor), Russel Mining and St. Agustine Copper and Gold firms in Pantukan.

The protesting miners came from the barangays of Diat, Boringot, Panganason, Gumayan and Kingking and other adjacent villages.