BUTUAN CITY — Authorities dismantled a large-scale illegal mining operation in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, in a decisive, intelligence-driven crackdown on environmental crimes late Wednesday evening, April 9, 2026.
Operatives of the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13), led by its Regional Intelligence Division (RID13), swooped down on three identified mining sites in Carac-an Downstream, Barangay Lobo, resulting in the arrest of nine Chinese nationals and one Filipino suspected of engaging in unlawful mineral extraction.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Cantilan Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.
The operation stemmed from Target Intel Packet No. G05-2026 and was carried out under the supervision of RID13 chief Police Colonel Rolly D. Albaña and the leadership of PRO13 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV. It involved a multi-agency task force composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Enforcement Division, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Caraga, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Cantilan, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 (RMFB13), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Caraga, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Cantilan MPS, and the 2nd Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Authorities seized a significant volume of heavy equipment and mining paraphernalia from the site, underscoring the scale and sophistication of the illegal operation. Among those confiscated were multiple excavators, pay loaders, dump trucks, generator sets, sluice boxes, water pumps, bunkhouses, and various support equipment used in extracting mineral resources.
The value of the recovered heavy equipment alone is estimated at ₱50.5 million, excluding other materials found on-site.
Officials said the operation dealt a major blow to illegal mining activities in the Caraga region, which have long posed threats to the environment, local communities, and government revenues.
Charges are being readied against the arrested individuals for violations of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, as well as other applicable environmental and immigration laws.
All seized equipment and materials have been turned over to the DENR for proper disposition and for use in building environmental cases against those involved.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying operations against illegal mining, warning that similar activities will be met with sustained enforcement actions as part of the government’s broader campaign to protect natural resources and uphold environmental laws.