Kiamba, Sarangani Province — January 23, 2026
Joint police and government forces dismantled and destroyed multiple pieces of alleged illegal mining equipment during a major security operation in the mountainous hinterlands of Kiamba, Sarangani, authorities confirmed Friday.
The discovery was made by joint operating troops from the 1st and 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) while conducting a Major Internal Security Operation under OPLAN KAPUGAN in the remote sitios of Kapugan, Upal, and Banate in Barangay Nalus.
Acting swiftly on the field report, composite teams from the Kiamba Municipal Police Station, Maitum Municipal Police Station, Sarangani Provincial Police Office (SPPO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Sarangani, and the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) immediately proceeded to the area. The operation was led by Police Colonel Jerone Orville P. Panganiban, Acting Provincial Director of SPPO, with MGB personnel and their legal officer present.
At around 2:00 p.m., the responding team reached the reported location and confirmed the presence of extensive mining paraphernalia allegedly used for illegal mineral extraction. Authorities documented one bore mill in Sitio Kapugan, two bore mills in Sitio Banate, and six bore mills in Sitio Upal, along with one unserviceable BRT 140ID diesel engine.
In accordance with existing mining and environmental laws, the bore mills were dismantled and destroyed on-site in the presence of MGB officials to prevent their reuse.
Additional items seized during the operation included 32 sacks of ore or mineral materials, a blow torch with blower, a pulley, three setting mats, and two head lamps. These materials were formally turned over by the MGB to PENRO Sarangani for proper custody and documentation.
Authorities said the operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal mining, which poses serious threats to the environment, local communities, and public safety.
The case has been formally referred to the Mines and Geoscience Bureau for appropriate legal action and further investigation to identify those responsible for the illicit activities.
Police and environmental officials reiterated their commitment to sustained operations in far-flung areas to protect Sarangani’s natural resources and ensure strict enforcement of mining and environmental regulations.