25/07/2025
𝟕 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝟏𝟖.𝟗𝐌 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥
CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City - In a successful intelligence-driven operation, personnel of the Misamis Oriental Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA), in coordination with DENR–CENRO Initao, 1st PMFC, Lantad CMU, and Opol MPS, arrested seven (7) Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining activities on July 23, 2025 at Sitio Libani, Brgy. Tingalan, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
Authorities initiated the operation after receiving an information regarding the involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal mining activities in the area. This prompted a series of casing and validation efforts, which confirmed the presence of unauthorized mining operations. It was also discovered that several locals had been employed by the foreign suspects, but they managed to flee the scene and avoid arrest when the authorities arrived.
The arrested foreign suspects include five males and two females, who reportedly entered the country as tourists.
Seized during the operation were two hydraulic excavators, one unit separator, one wheel loader, two rolls of carpet/matting, one sack of washed sand, two sets of water pump, and one roll of water hose, with a total estimated market value of PhP18,922,500.00.
The arrested suspects are now under the custody of Misamis Oriental MARPSTA, and the case has been referred before the office of the prosecutor for the filing of criminal charges for violation of Section 103 of R.A. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995).
Furthermore, authorities are conducting ongoing coordination with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to verify the immigration status, travel records, and potential criminal history of the arrested Chinese nationals. This includes determining whether they have valid documentation for their stay in the Philippines or any outstanding criminal cases in the country or abroad.
The heavy equipment, including two hydraulic excavators and one wheel loader, have been turned over to the Brgy. Tuburan, Cagayan de Oro City for safekeeping, while other pieces of evidence have been turned over to Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 10 (MGB-10).
PBGEN ROLINDO M SUGUILON, Regional Director, PRO10, commended the swift and strategic ex*****on of the operation.
“We, along with other law enforcement units, remain relentless in our pursuit of those who violate environmental laws and will continue to strengthen our collaboration with partner agencies to ensure that offenders are held accountable,” he said.
PRO10 reiterates its firm stand in preserving the region’s natural resources and urges the public to report any illegal activities that threaten the environment. # # #
SOURCE: RPIO PRO10
