CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities in Northern Mindanao have intensified their crackdown on illegal mining operations, seizing over ₱1.5 million worth of mineral ores and equipment and arresting two suspects in separate operations conducted in Iligan City and Misamis Oriental on October 30, 2025.
At around 5:00 a.m., operatives from the City Intelligence Unit–City Special Operations Unit of Iligan City Police Office, together with the Iligan City Mobile Force Company, Police Stations 3 and 6, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, and personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)–DENR Region 10, launched a joint operation in Barangay Mainit, Iligan City following verified reports of ongoing illegal mining activities.
The operation led to the arrest of alias “Jake,” 22, who was caught loading gold-bearing mineral ores, and alias “Holi,” 39, who attempted to obstruct the arrest. Seized from the suspects were one generator set, two compressor units, six rod mills, ten sacks of gold-bearing ores, and various other mining tools, all properly documented and placed under police custody.
Later that evening, at around 10:05 p.m., personnel from the Manticao Municipal Police Station carried out an intelligence-driven operation in Purok 2, Barangay Mahayahay, Manticao, Misamis Oriental, where they discovered and confiscated 20 abandoned sacks of minerals believed to have originated from Barangay Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental. The recovered minerals have an estimated market value of ₱62,000.
Authorities said all confiscated items are now under police custody pending verification and turnover to MGB Region 10 for proper disposition.
PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano, Acting Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10), commended the operating units for their sustained campaign to curb illegal mining in the region.
“The relentless efforts of our personnel in combating illegal mining reflect our strong commitment to uphold the law and preserve the environment for future generations. PRO-10 will continue to intensify its operations to ensure that those who exploit our natural resources unlawfully are held accountable,” Abrahano said.
The successful operations highlight the government’s ongoing drive to protect Northern Mindanao’s natural resources from destructive and unauthorized extraction activities, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainable environmental protection and responsible resource management.