CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) scored another major victory in its campaign against illegal mining after seizing more than ₱1.1 million worth of abandoned equipment and sacks of suspected minerals in a two-day operation in Barangay Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The anti-illegal mining operation, carried out from September 2 to 3, 2025, was led by composite personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), in coordination with the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office (MORPPO) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-deputized personnel.
At around 11:30 a.m. on September 2, authorities launched the raid in connection with Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
During the operation, the team discovered and confiscated several abandoned mining items, including two generators worth ₱100,000, an electric machine, hoist, blowers, shovels, and chainsaws. The biggest haul was 220 sacks of alleged minerals weighing approximately 10 tons, valued at nearly ₱1 million.
The total estimated market value of the seized items reached ₱1,133,000. The inventory was conducted on-site by MGB-authorized personnel before the confiscated items were turned over to the custody of RMFB 10. These will later be transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 (DENR-10) through MGB-X for proper disposition.
PRO10 Regional Director PBGEN Rolindo M. Suguilon lauded the participating units for their efforts.
“This accomplishment shows our relentless commitment to enforcing the law against illegal mining. PRO10 will continue to work hand-in-hand with DENR and other government agencies to ensure that illegal miners and their protectors are held accountable,” Suguilon said.
Authorities reminded the public that unauthorized mineral extraction remains a serious offense under the Philippine Mining Act, which penalizes violators with hefty fines and possible imprisonment.