OPOL, Misamis Oriental — Police scored a major breakthrough against illegal mining operations in Northern Mindanao after arresting 24 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, and seizing heavy equipment and mineral ores worth more than ₱30.8 million during a joint operation in a remote area of Sitio Bugwak, Barangay Tingalan, Opol on January 25, 2026.
The suspects are currently under custody at the Opol Municipal Police Station following the large-scale anti-illegal mining operation spearheaded by the 2nd Misamis Oriental Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), with support from intelligence operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division-10 (RID-10) and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-10 (RMFB-10), in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
According to police reports, authorities acted on intelligence information from a confidential informant regarding ongoing illegal mining activities in the area—known for having little to no telecommunication signal. Upon arrival, operatives caught the suspects actively extracting mineral resources using heavy machinery, allegedly without any legal permits or documentation, in clear violation of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Those arrested include machine operators, laborers, welders, and supervisors. Police confirmed that two Chinese nationals were among those apprehended and were believed to be overseeing the illicit operations.
Seized during the operation were two backhoes, two generators, six water pumps, two trommels, 30 sacks of suspected mineral ores, and two dump trucks, with an estimated total value of ₱30,840,000.
Police said all arrested individuals were properly informed of their constitutional rights in a language they understood and were provided access to medical evaluation in compliance with Republic Act No. 9745, or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. An on-site inventory of seized items was conducted in the presence of barangay officials of Barangay Tingalan.
The confiscated equipment and mineral ores will be turned over to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 10 (MGB-10) at the DENR Compound in Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City for proper disposition and further evaluation.
Authorities described the operation as part of the intensified campaign of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) against illegal mining, emphasizing its commitment to environmental protection and law enforcement under the banner of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
Police said further investigation is ongoing to identify possible financiers and protectors behind the illegal mining activities, as the government continues its push for a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable environment.