Manila: Barobo, Surigao del Sur: Six persons were arrested and over PHP12.2 million worth of equipment, tools, and mineral ores were confiscated in separate anti-illegal mining operations in Barobo, Surigao del Sur over the weekend, the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13) reported Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 1301st Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, raided an illegal mining operation along the boundary of Barangay Bahi and Barangay Mamis in Barobo town on Sunday. Three individuals were arrested, identified only as 'Elmer,' 52; 'Arvin,' 37; and 'Jiar,' 38, all residents of Barobo. Authorities confiscated a backhoe tractor worth PHP7 million and various mining tools, paraphernalia, soil material containing gold-associated minerals, several gasoline-powered water pumps, chainsaws, hoses, gold pans, and shovels worth PHP109,000. The suspects are currently in the custody of the Barobo Municipal Police Station, while the confiscated equipment and tools were turned over to the DENR for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Lt. Col. Jennifer Ometer, PRO-13 chief of information, stated in an interview on Monday that the Sunday operation took place near the area where the first operation was conducted on Saturday. On Saturday, three individuals were arrested and PHP5.1 million worth of equipment was seized in Purok 6, Sitio Kauswagan, Barangay Bahi. Omiter mentioned that the three will be charged for violating the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act. The confiscated equipment, tools, and paraphernalia were turned over to the DENR for documentation, safekeeping, and appropriate disposition.
