LUGAIT, Misamis Oriental — Authorities arrested a truck driver and seized more than ₱3 million worth of suspected mineral ores in a crackdown on illegal mining activities conducted early Monday, April 6, in Barangay Poblacion, this town.
Personnel from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office, in coordination with the Lugait Municipal Police Station and the 100th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, carried out the operation that led to the apprehension of a 28-year-old suspect identified only as “Ongco,” a resident of Iligan City.
According to police reports, the suspect was intercepted while driving an Isuzu Elf truck along a route from Limonda toward Iligan City. Authorities flagged down the vehicle after noticing suspicious cargo under the plain view doctrine. Upon inspection, the truck was found loaded with numerous sacks containing suspected mineral ores.
When asked to present the necessary transport permits and documentation, the driver failed to produce any, prompting authorities to immediately place him under arrest.
Seized during the operation were 171 sacks of suspected mineral ores with an estimated market value of ₱1.71 million, along with the transport vehicle valued at approximately ₱1.3 million. The total estimated worth of the confiscated items reached ₱3.01 million.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Lugait Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Meanwhile, the confiscated mineral ores and vehicle were transported to the headquarters of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company in Upper Poblacion, Libertad, Misamis Oriental. These will undergo proper disposition procedures, including turnover to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office 10.
Police Regional Office 10 Director PBGen. Christopher N. Abrahano commended the operating units for the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of sustained enforcement efforts against illegal mining.
“We will continue to strengthen our coordination with partner agencies and local government units to put an end to these unlawful activities. Let this serve as a warning to those who persist in exploiting our natural resources without proper authority—PRO10 will not hesitate to take decisive action against violators,” Abrahano said.
PRO10 reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal mining, underscoring the need to safeguard the environment and preserve natural resources amid ongoing threats from unauthorized extraction activities.