ILIGAN CITY — Joint operatives of the Iligan City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC), Iligan City Police Office–City Intelligence Unit (ICPO-CIU), City Highway Patrol Team–Iligan, Iligan City Police Station 2 (ICPS2), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–10 (DENR-10), CENRO Iligan, intercepted a wing van truck carrying suspected illegally transported mineral ore during an operation along the national highway in Barangay Suarez on January 12, 2026.
Authorities flagged down the vehicle after it was observed parked along the highway, causing traffic obstruction. The driver, identified only as alias “Mike,” 27, married, and a resident of Santa Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, failed to present a valid driver’s license, produced an expired Official Receipt (OR), and could not show any valid transport or travel permit for the cargo.
Upon further inspection, law enforcement officers discovered that the truck was allegedly loaded with mineral ore believed to be copper, reportedly sourced from Zamboanga Sibugay and bound for Cagayan de Oro City.
The driver was immediately apprehended, and a total of 500 sacks of suspected copper ore were seized, with an estimated market value of P400,000.
The suspect is currently under the custody of Iligan City Police Station 2 for proper disposition. The seized mineral ore and the vehicle were transported to Cagayan de Oro City for inventory, turnover, and the preparation of appropriate charges in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), in accordance with established protocol.
In a statement, PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10), commended the operating units for the successful interception, stressing that the operation reflects the police force’s intensified campaign against illegal mining and the unlawful transport of mineral resources.
“This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting our natural resources and enforcing environmental laws. We will continue to work closely with DENR and other agencies to stop illegal mining activities in the region,” Abrahano said.
The case adds to growing concerns over the illegal extraction and transport of mineral resources in Mindanao, which authorities say not only deprive the government of revenue but also pose serious environmental and security risks to affected communities.