KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte — Authorities intercepted an estimated ₱2.65 million worth of alleged mineral ores and arrested a truck driver during a joint checkpoint operation in Barangay Taguitic, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, on August 6, 2026, in what police described as another major operation against the illegal transport of mineral resources in Northern Mindanao.
The successful operation was carried out by personnel of the 1005th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB10) in coordination with the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station (MPS), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO), LDN-Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT), Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU-10), Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 10, and the 5th Mechanized Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Authorities flagged down a red-and-white FUSO winged van truck traveling from Zamboanga del Sur and bound for Cagayan de Oro City during the checkpoint operation. The vehicle was driven by a 31-year-old man identified only by his alias “Kuya Boy,” a resident of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
During the inspection, the driver failed to present the truck’s Certificate of Registration, prompting authorities to conduct further verification. The driver later admitted that he was transporting sacks believed to contain mineral ores and voluntarily opened the truck’s cargo compartment in the presence of barangay officials and an MGB-deputized RMFB10 personnel.
Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered 530 sacks of alleged mineral ores with an estimated market value of ₱2,650,000.
Based on the initial investigation, the suspect claimed that he was merely hired to transport the cargo. He told investigators that he had been instructed to pick up the truck in Zamboanga del Sur and deliver it to Cagayan de Oro City. Police are now conducting an extensive investigation to determine the exact source of the alleged mineral ores and identify the individuals responsible for their ownership and transport.
The driver was immediately placed under arrest for allegedly violating Section 53 of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which governs the lawful extraction, transport, and disposition of mineral resources in the country.
Meanwhile, the confiscated mineral ores and the FUSO truck were placed under the temporary custody of the 1005th Maneuver Company, RMFB10, pending megascopic analysis and examination by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 10 to verify the nature and classification of the seized materials.
Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) Regional Director PBGen. Christopher N. Abrahano commended the operating teams for their coordinated efforts in combating environmental crimes and safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
“Malinaw ang mensahe natin—hindi natin kukunsintihin ang illegal mining. This operation proves that PRO10, together with our partner agencies, is serious in enforcing our environmental laws. Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating operations para maprotektahan ang ating likas na yaman at mapanagot ang mga lumalabag sa batas,” Abrahano said.
PRO10 emphasized that it remains steadfast in its intensified campaign against illegal mining and other environmental offenses, underscoring its commitment to preserving the region’s ecological integrity while ensuring that violators of environmental laws are held accountable. Authorities also vowed to continue intelligence-driven operations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to prevent the illegal extraction and transport of the country’s mineral resources.