BAROBO, Surigao del Sur — Two individuals were arrested and around ₱220,000 worth of equipment allegedly used for illegal mining was confiscated during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Kinayan, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, authorities said.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the 1301st Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 (RMFB 13) in Sitio Tongawon at about 3:30 p.m. on August 6, 2026, following information from concerned citizens regarding alleged unauthorized mining activities in the area.
The operation lasted nearly seven hours, ending at approximately 10:27 p.m. It was conducted in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental and Natural Resources Monitoring and Information Assistance Center (DENR-MIAC), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office 13, and the Barobo Municipal Police Station (MPS). Authorities said the reported activities were allegedly being carried out in violation of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which regulates the exploration, development and utilization of the country’s mineral resources.
Upon reaching the reported mining site, operatives allegedly caught two individuals actively engaged in the extraction of mineral resources without the required permits or licenses from the DENR. Both were immediately apprehended and informed of the reason for their arrest and their constitutional rights in accordance with the Miranda Doctrine and the Anti-Torture Act.
Authorities also seized a substantial amount of equipment believed to have been used in the operation. The confiscated items included 11 Honda GP160 water-pump gasoline engines, several additional gasoline- and diesel-powered water pumps, a green rubber sluice mat, and a bag containing fine sand residues with traces of gold dust. The combined estimated market value of the seized equipment was placed at ₱220,000.
The arrested individuals were brought to the Barobo MPS for proper documentation and disposition, while the confiscated equipment and other recovered materials were turned over to DENR-MIAC in Sitio Cutlog, Barangay Bahi, Barobo, for documentation and appropriate legal disposition.
The operation underscores the continuing crackdown on unauthorized mineral extraction in Surigao del Sur, where illegal mining not only deprives the government of lawful revenues but can also pose serious risks to forests, waterways and surrounding communities. Authorities emphasized that enforcement operations will continue through strengthened coordination among law enforcement agencies and environmental and mining regulators to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure that mining activities comply with existing laws and regulations.