(Courtesy of PRO-Caraga Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – Authorities arrested 18 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, and confiscated approximately Php 153 million worth of equipment and other items during an anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Mabini, Surigao City, on Wednesday, October 14.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) Caraga reported Thursday that the operation resulted in the seizure of heavy machinery, vehicles, firearms, and equipment allegedly used in large-scale illegal mining activities.
The eight Chinese nationals were identified as alias Chow, 53; Chao, 58; Hao, 39; Long, 51; and Tsua Peng, 53, all from Hunan, China; Yong, 53, and Wen, 52, from Ganzu, China; and Wan, 33, from Guangzhou, China.
Ten Filipinos were also arrested, including four residents of Surigao City, two from Davao City, and one each from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Surigao del Norte.
Among the confiscated equipment were eight dump trucks, five payloaders, 16 excavators, eight generator sets, four improvised sluice machines, and a Toyota Hilux pickup truck.
Authorities also recovered compressors, sluice matting, electrical equipment, batteries, hydraulic oil, grease, and diesel fuel believed to have been used in the mining operation.
An Armscor Model 3 shotgun with 12 rounds of ammunition and two improvised air guns were likewise seized.
The operation was carried out through coordination among the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including personnel from the Philippine Air Force.
PRO-Caraga Regional Director Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon credited the successful operation to cooperation among law enforcement and government agencies.
“The success of this operation is attributed to the strong partnership and coordination between PRO-13 (Caraga) and other law enforcement agencies, all working toward the common goal of protecting and preserving our natural resources,” Suguilon said.
He assured that authorities would pursue appropriate legal action against those responsible for the alleged illegal mining activities.
The 18 arrested individuals remain under the custody of the Surigao City Police Station pending proper legal disposition.
Meanwhile, the confiscated machinery and equipment were turned over to MGB-Caraga for safekeeping.
