Manila: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Tuesday convened the Mindanao Inter-Agency Response Against Illegal Mining, focusing on concerns about foreign nationals involved in illegal operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr., PAOCC executive director, emphasized that illegal mining activities involving foreign nationals could undermine national security. The commission is currently investigating whether these activities have established a network in Mindanao.

"This gathering of inter-agency officials is to collect information so we can develop an intensified approach in combatting illegal mining," Acorda stated. The inter-agency group also highlighted cases of government personnel involved in illegal mining, who have since been removed from office and charged.

Since January, efforts to combat illegal mining have increased in the Northern Mindanao Region, particularly in the town of Opol, Misamis Oriental, where Chinese nationals were apprehended.