Illegal Mining Bust in Misamis Oriental Underscores Environmental Protection Drive

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A suspected illegal small-scale mining operation in Misamis Oriental ground to a halt late Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 2, after security forces caught the operator red-handed processing mineral ore without permits in the hinterland village of Limonda of Opol town. Joint government troops and police units swooped down on the site in Zone 2 at around 5:20 p.m., seizing an estimated P280,000 worth of mineral ore and arresting a 29-year-old local resident identified only as “Gil.” The operatives—composed of the Opol Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of Misamis Oriental, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, the Philippine Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion, Task Force Opol, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-deputized personnel from Task Force Kalikasan ug Kalinaw—caught the suspect in the act of running ball mill drums. When asked by authorities to present the necessary permits authorizing the operation, the suspect failed to provide any valid documents. He was arrested on the spot and informed of his constitutional rights. Authorities confiscated 10 ball mill drums containing 16 bags of unfinished milled ore. The suspect is currently detained at the Opol Municipal Police Station, where he faces charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942). The seized mineral ore was taken to the police station for documentation and proper disposition, while the 10 ball mill drums were placed under the temporary custody of the Barangay Limonda council pending turnover to the MGB. Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., Police Regional Office 10 director, said the operation underscores the police force’s drive to halt environmental destruction in Northern Mindanao. “This operation sends a clear message: illegal mining will not be tolerated,” Babagay said. /cb Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo