Opol, Misamis Oriental – November 21, 2024: In a coordinated effort to combat illegal mining, the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) apprehended five individuals and seized mining equipment valued at approximately P3.5 million during an early morning operation in Barangays Limonda and Cauyunan, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The operation, conducted around 5:00 AM, was a joint effort by the Opol Municipal Police Station (MPS), Manticao MPS, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 10.
Arrests and Seized Items
Four suspects were initially arrested while dismantling ball mill drums and other mining paraphernalia. They were identified by their aliases as:
- “Shei-Shei”, 28 years old
- “Kriza”, 23 years old
- “Channie”, 21 years old
- “Albert”, 20 years old
All are residents of Barangays Limonda and Cauyunan, Opol. Authorities confiscated two diesel engines, five ball mill drums, twelve ball mill rods, one axle with a pulley, and three sacks of minerals.
A subsequent investigation led the team to Sitio Look, Barangay Cauyunan, where an illegal excavation site measuring 15×30 meters with a depth of 10 feet was discovered. At the site, a fifth suspect, “Ibahi,” 36 years old, was caught extracting minerals using water pumps and a wooden strainer. Several other individuals, including the backhoe operator, managed to escape.
Confiscated items from the site included:
- One yellow KOMATSU PC200 backhoe
- Two water pumps
- One Stihl chainsaw
- Two crowbars
- One wooden strainer with rubber matting hose
- A small cellophane containing suspected gold flakes
- One black sling bag
The recovered items have been handed over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Opol for proper disposition.
Law Enforcement Response
The arrested suspects and seized materials are under the custody of the Opol MPS for documentation and filing of appropriate charges. PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of PRO10, lauded the successful collaboration between the police units and MGB Region 10.
“This successful operation highlights our dedication to protecting our natural resources and ensuring that illegal activities do not prosper in Northern Mindanao,” said De Guzman.
He further emphasized the police’s commitment to environmental preservation and the enforcement of mining laws.
Call for Public Support
PRO10 encourages the public to report illegal activities through their local police stations or the PRO10 hotline. Community cooperation is vital in curbing environmental crimes and maintaining sustainable development in the region.
This operation serves as a strong warning against illegal mining operations and reaffirms the authorities’ resolve to safeguard the region’s natural resources.
