ILIGAN CITY — Authorities intercepted a green wing van truck carrying suspected copper ore at around 1:20 p.m. on December 22, 2025, in what officials say may be a case of illegal mineral transport disguised under falsified documents.
During inspection, authorities discovered apparent tampering in the date indicated on the cargo’s documents, prompting immediate coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Subsequent verification revealed that the declared cargo listed as “rice hull” was false. Instead, the truck was found to be loaded with sacks containing materials believed to be copper ore, reportedly sourced from Zamboanga Sibugay.
An on-site inventory of the seized cargo was immediately conducted in accordance with standard procedures. Following this, the truck and its contents were escorted to Cagayan de Oro City for proper inventory and official turnover, in line with the protocol of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
While the driver was not placed under arrest, authorities ordered him to appear before an adjudication hearing to be conducted by the MGB, where possible violations of mining and environmental laws will be determined. Officials stressed that the interception underscores the government’s continuing crackdown on illegal mining and the illicit transport of mineral resources, which deprive the state of revenue and pose serious environmental risks.