Photo courtesy of PNP
Police arrested three men and seized more than Php 5.1 million worth of equipment during an anti-illegal mining operation in Barobo, Surigao del Sur.
The Philippine National Police said the operation was conducted on June 27 in Barangay Bahi by the 1301st Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Barobo Municipal Police Station, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 13.
Authorities said the suspects, aged 33, 34, and 45, were all residents of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.
Police said the three were caught allegedly extracting mineral resources without the required permit or license from the DENR.
Seized during the operation were a backhoe valued at Php 5 million, three sacks of soil materials containing gold-associated minerals, one diesel-powered water pump, and seven gasoline-powered water pumps.
The confiscated equipment, with an estimated total value of Php 5.092 million, was turned over to the DENR-CENRO office in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, for documentation and proper disposition.
The suspects were placed under the custody of the Barobo Municipal Police Station pending the filing of charges for alleged violation of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, while PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez said police would continue working with partner agencies to stop illegal mining and protect natural resources.