Hundreds of protesters began an indefinite blockade of a mine in Agusan del Norte province today leading to a tense standoff and fears of possible violence.

Some 200 angry residents from the town of Tubay are preventing about 100 miners from getting to work in the village of La Fraternidad after accusing San Roque Metals Incorporated of hiring workers from neighboring areas.

They are also accusing the firm of sponsoring the registration of non-residents as voters at the local election office.

The protesting residents, who blocked off the road to the mining site early this morning, say the company is bankrolling a candidate for mayor in 2013 elections.

The company have denied the allegations.

Ryan Anthony Culima, the company's vice-president, said the resident’s blockade is illegal.

"They have to file a case in court if they have a complaint against the company instead of staging illegal acts," Culima said.

He branded the residents' action "economic sabotage," adding that the company will file charges against those behind the protest.

Town mayor Sadeka Garcia-Tomaneng, however, said the protesters are "exercising their right to earn a living."

She said local residents should have been employed by the mining firm.

The mayor was once a supporter of the company and lobbied for it to establish operations in the area despite opposition from local residents.