Opol, Misamis Oriental – Opol Mayor Atty. Jay Bago has raised concerns over the possible involvement of law enforcement and military personnel in protecting illegal miners in Limonda, Opol.
Mayor Bago expressed suspicion that some police or soldiers may be shielding individuals engaged in unauthorized mining activities. “It is possible that these personnel are being compensated to guard the area and warn illegal miners of impending raids,” he said. He added that this could explain why repeated police operations have failed to apprehend perpetrators and why illegal mining continues despite frequent enforcement efforts.
“The presence of authorities alone is not enough,” Mayor Bago noted. “Once they leave, illegal operations resume. Most of the miners are outsiders who are not intimidated by law enforcement.” He also emphasized that landowners hold significant responsibility in preventing illegal mining on their properties. The local government may hold them accountable if such activities persist.
In a recent anti-illegal mining operation, joint forces from the MOR 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Tuod Patrol Base, 1001st MC of the RMFB 10, 44th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and Opol Municipal Police Station acted on reports of abandoned mineral ores in Limonda. The operation began at approximately 5:30 PM on January 23, 2026, and concluded around 7:30 PM, with personnel arriving at Tuod Patrol Base by 9:00 PM.
Upon inspection of the reported location, authorities recovered 88 sacks of alleged mineral ores, estimated at Php 132,000, which appeared to have been abandoned by unidentified individuals. The seized items were inventoried by PCpl Reyell S. Salas, MGB-deputized personnel, in the presence of Barangay Kagawad of Limonda, and were later transported to MOR 2nd PMFC in Upper Poblacion, Libertad, for proper turnover to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 10 at the DENR Compound in Cagayan de Oro City.
Mayor Bago assured the public that as long as he remains in office, he will continue efforts to curb illegal mining and work toward making mining operations in Opol legal and properly regulated.