CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) confiscated mining equipment, paraphernalia, and suspected mineral ores worth an estimated ₱1.043 million and arrested four individuals during a series of anti-illegal mining operations across Northern Mindanao on October 27, 2026.
The operations covered Cagayan de Oro City, Opol in Misamis Oriental, and El Salvador City, with police and government personnel targeting reported illegal mining activities, enforcing an existing cease-and-desist order, and intercepting the alleged transport of mineral ores without the required documents.
The combined operations resulted in the recovery of suspected illegal mining equipment and materials, as well as 37 pieces of suspected mineral ores and a vehicle allegedly used to transport them.
In Barangay Tumpagon, Cagayan de Oro City, personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau–Region X (MGB-X), Police Station 8, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), Regional Intelligence Division 10 (RID 10), and the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion under the 4th Infantry Division conducted a joint operation at around 3 p.m. following reports of illegal mining.
Upon reaching the area, the team discovered fresh excavation marks, shallow pits, and stockpiles of suspected mineral ores, indicating recent mining activity. Six unidentified men reportedly fled upon the arrival of authorities, escaping through the area’s rugged terrain and thick vegetation.
The operating team recovered mining equipment and materials valued at approximately ₱112,000, including water pumps, a generator, a battery, wooden pans, chisels, a shovel, and other tools. No arrests were reported in this operation.
Operations along Iponan River yield additional equipment
Authorities also conducted separate operations along the Iponan River in Opol, Misamis Oriental, pursuant to a cease-and-desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Region X (DENR-X) on July 2, 2026.
At around 3:30 p.m., personnel from MGB-X, RMFB 10, Opol Municipal Police Station, RID 10, the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion, and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office conducted patrol operations along the river.
The team discovered equipment suspected of being used in illegal mining activities along the riverbank. The recovered items included two gasoline-powered water pumps, one diesel-powered water pump, four sluice pans, 15 sluice mats, two water hoses, and another diesel-engine water pump.
Authorities placed the estimated market value of the confiscated equipment at ₱156,000.
In a separate operation at around 12:49 p.m., the same partner agencies conducted another patrol along the Iponan River in Sitio Laburon, Barangay Tingalan, Opol, where illegal mining activities had reportedly occurred.
The team seized two 10.5-horsepower water pumps, 20 meters of copper wire, five circuit breakers, two sluice equipment units, two shovels, and one generator set. The confiscated equipment was valued at approximately ₱480,000.
The two operations in Opol accounted for ₱636,000 in recovered equipment, underscoring the scale of the reported illegal mining activities along the river system. Authorities said the enforcement actions were conducted in line with the DENR-X cease-and-desist order.
Four apprehended after suspected mineral ores found in vehicle
The operations also led to the apprehension of four individuals during a checkpoint in Purok 2, Barangay Amoros, El Salvador City, at around 8:24 p.m.
Personnel from the 1st Platoon of the Amoros Patrol Base under the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with the El Salvador City Police Station, flagged down a Suzuki multicab for a traffic violation.
During the inspection, police personnel spotted suspected mineral ores in plain view inside the vehicle. The four occupants were apprehended after they allegedly failed to present the necessary documents authorizing the possession or transport of the materials.
The individuals were identified only by their first names or aliases as “Niel,” 31; “Kris,” 61; “Nirth,” 41; and “Mel,” 31. Niel, Kris, and Nirth were reported to be residents of Davao del Norte, while Mel was identified as a resident of Misamis Oriental.
Authorities confiscated 37 pieces of suspected mineral ores with an estimated value of ₱150,000, along with the Suzuki multicab valued at approximately ₱145,000. The total estimated value of the recovered materials and vehicle reached ₱295,000.
The four individuals were brought to the El Salvador City Police Station for documentation and further investigation. They may face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, subject to the findings of investigators and the determination of the appropriate authorities.
Authorities vow continued enforcement
The four apprehended individuals remain under police custody as authorities process the case. The confiscated items are scheduled for turnover to MGB-X for appropriate handling and further examination.
PRO-10 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Nestor C. Babagay Jr. emphasized the importance of coordinated operations among law enforcement agencies, environmental authorities, and the military in addressing illegal mining across Northern Mindanao.
Babagay said the operations support the Philippine National Police chief’s Focused Agenda and reinforce efforts to ensure compliance with mining laws and regulations.
“We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to stop illegal mining, protect our natural resources, and hold violators accountable. No one is above the law, and we will remain firm in enforcing the law throughout Northern Mindanao,” he said.
Illegal mining can expose river systems and surrounding communities to environmental risks, particularly when extraction activities are conducted without the required permits and safeguards. Authorities’ enforcement efforts seek to prevent unauthorized extraction and transport of mineral resources while ensuring that suspected violations are subjected to proper investigation and legal proceedings.
The October 27 operations demonstrate a coordinated response to reported illegal mining activities in Northern Mindanao. However, the apprehended individuals’ liability and the circumstances surrounding the seized mineral ores remain subject to investigation and due process.