ILIGAN CITY — Three individuals were arrested and an estimated ₱13.16 million worth of mining equipment and alleged mineral ores were confiscated during a joint law enforcement operation against illegal mining in Sitio Binasan, Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City, on Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 3 p.m. by the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10) through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Iligan City Field Unit, in coordination with the Regional Forensic Unit 10 Regional Special Operations Team (RFU 10 RSOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) Iligan, Task Force Kinaiyahan of the Iligan City Government, and the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) Iligan. Personnel from ICPO Police Station 6 also participated in the operation.
The three arrested individuals were identified only by their aliases as “Rom,” 35; “Nel,” 45; and “Andoy,” 61, all males and residents of Cagayan de Oro City.
Authorities said the operation stemmed from information provided by a confidential informant regarding alleged illegal mining activities being conducted in the area. The information prompted the participating agencies to launch OPLAN KALIKASAN, an enforcement operation focused on curbing illegal mining and other activities that threaten the country’s natural resources.
Upon reaching the reported mining site, operating personnel reportedly found several individuals actively engaged in mining activities. Some of those present managed to flee as authorities moved into the area, while the three suspects were apprehended.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of heavy equipment and other materials allegedly being used in the mining activity. These included one SDLG backhoe, one SUMITOMO SH210 backhoe, one fire hose, two blue plastic hoses, one bilingan, one improvised separator, eight water pumps of various brands, and one-half sack of alleged mineral ores.
The total estimated value of the confiscated equipment and alleged mineral ores was placed at ₱13,160,000.
Authorities conducted an inventory of the seized items at the site in an orderly manner, with the process witnessed by DENR-CENRO Iligan forest rangers and other barangay officials.
The three arrested individuals, along with the confiscated equipment and other pieces of evidence, were subsequently brought to the CIDG Iligan City Field Unit Office for proper documentation and disposition.
Police said a case for alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, is being prepared for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Iligan City.
The operation highlights the continuing enforcement efforts of law enforcement agencies and environmental authorities against the unauthorized exploitation of natural resources in Northern Mindanao, particularly activities involving heavy equipment and mining operations in environmentally sensitive areas.
PBGen Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PRO 10, commended the operating personnel and participating agencies for the successful operation.
Abrahano also reaffirmed the regional police office’s commitment to working with government agencies and local authorities to protect the environment and enforce laws against the illegal exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
The authorities’ operation is part of broader efforts to hold accountable individuals involved in illegal resource extraction while strengthening inter-agency enforcement in areas vulnerable to environmental degradation.