Iligan City – An anti-illegal mining operation conducted on November 22, 2024, by Police Station 6 (PS6) of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), in collaboration with the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), Task Force Kinaiyahan, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), led to the confiscation of mining paraphernalia in Purok Paiton, Barangay Mainit.
The operation uncovered abandoned and unattended mining materials and equipment at the site. The seized items included:
- Six rod mills,
- Five steel rods,
- One capacitor start motor,
- Five kilograms of polyvinyl chloride resin.
The total estimated value of the recovered items is ₱117,000.
Due to the challenging terrain and the considerable size and weight of the rod mills, authorities left the equipment at the site under the safekeeping and accountability of CENRO personnel for later retrieval.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10), emphasized the importance of the operation in the ongoing fight against illegal mining activities in Northern Mindanao.
“PRO10 remains steadfast in its dedication to protecting the environment and ensuring that illegal activities, such as illegal mining operations, are stopped. This operation highlights our unwavering commitment to preserving the natural resources of Northern Mindanao and safeguarding the well-being of our communities,” De Guzman stated.
Authorities continue to intensify their environmental protection efforts, with a focus on eliminating illegal mining operations to protect the region’s natural resources and promote sustainable development.