SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte — September 9, 2026 — Authorities from the Philippine National Police Maritime Group seized an estimated ₱800,000 worth of equipment and processed mineral ore during two separate operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
The operations were conducted by personnel of the Surigao del Norte Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) and the Regional Maritime Unit 13, as part of enforcement efforts targeting activities allegedly in violation of the country’s small-scale mining regulations.
The operations were carried out pursuant to search warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in Surigao City against two individuals who were allegedly linked to violations of Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7076, or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.
Despite the implementation of the warrants, authorities said no individual was found at the areas being searched when the police teams arrived. The absence of suspects, however, did not prevent the operatives from securing the items that were found at the sites and preserving them as potential evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Among the items seized were equipment believed to have been used in illegal mining operations, as well as processed mineral ore, with the total estimated value placed at approximately ₱800,000.
The seizure was conducted in the presence of barangay representatives and personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XIII, providing government witnesses during the inventory, documentation and securing of the recovered materials.
Following the operation, the confiscated equipment and mineral ore were transported to the Surigao del Norte MARPSTA for documentation and temporary custody. The materials are expected to be turned over to MGB Region XIII, which will undertake the appropriate disposition in accordance with existing mining laws, rules and regulations.
Authorities are also preparing the necessary documentation for the filing of cases before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation highlights the continuing enforcement of mining regulations in Surigao del Norte, where authorities have been monitoring and acting against mining activities allegedly conducted outside the legal framework governing small-scale mining.
Under Republic Act No. 7076, small-scale mining activities are subject to government regulation and must comply with the requirements established under the law. Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that the absence of proper permits and compliance with applicable regulations can expose operators to criminal and administrative liability.
The latest seizure also underscores the importance of coordination among law enforcement agencies, local government representatives and technical agencies such as the MGB in addressing suspected illegal mining operations.
While no arrests were made during the implementation of the search warrants, the seized materials may form part of the evidence to be evaluated by prosecutors as authorities determine the appropriate charges against the individuals identified in the warrants.
The investigation and case-building process will determine the specific circumstances surrounding the seized equipment and processed mineral ore, as well as the extent of responsibility of the individuals linked to the alleged violations.