Iligan City — Authorities confiscated an estimated ₱2.5 million worth of suspected illegally mined copper-bearing materials during a joint law enforcement operation conducted by Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) at the Dalipuga Border Control Point along the National Highway in Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City, on the evening of February 1, 2026.
The operation, carried out at around 6:10 p.m., was led by personnel of the Iligan City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC) in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division 10 (RID-10), Police Station 3 of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), the Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU-10), ICPO–Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Region 10 (DENR-10), through CENRO Iligan. Deputized personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) also assisted in the operation.
Intercepted at the checkpoint was a silver Wing Van truck driven by a 48-year-old man identified as alias “Tope,” a resident of Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Also on board were three helpers identified as alias “Dodong,” 24, from Bukidnon; “JM,” 22, from Camarines Norte; and “Mar,” 21, from Zamboanga del Norte.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered approximately 500 sacks of suspected copper-bearing mineral ore concealed in the vehicle. The shipment was allegedly misdeclared as scrap materials and was being transported without the required permits and documents mandated by law.
Initial findings indicate that the mineral ores allegedly originated from Zamboanga Sibugay and were bound for Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The group claimed to possess a mineral ore export permit issued in Zamboanga Sibugay; however, this document is still subject to verification by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Further investigation revealed that the Wing Van truck was a for-hire vehicle used for tracking and delivery services. The driver reportedly claimed that he was unaware the cargo consisted of mineral ores, believing instead that the load was aluminum copper scrap.
Authorities emphasized that the seizure underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal mining and the unlawful transport of mineral resources, which pose serious threats to the environment and deprive the state of rightful revenues.
The confiscated mineral ores, along with the vehicle used in the transport, will be turned over to the DENR–Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 10 in Cagayan de Oro City for proper inventory, documentation, and further legal proceedings. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of responsibility and possible violations of mining and environmental laws.