SINDANGAN, Zamboanga del Norte — Environmental authorities and police seized a wing van carrying approximately 481 sacks of mineral ore suspected to have been illegally sourced and transported after intercepting the vehicle in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Sindangan, on October 29, 2026.
The seized cargo, estimated to weigh 24,050 kilograms or more than 24 metric tons, has an estimated market value of ₱1,202,500, while the wing van used to transport it was valued at approximately ₱1.75 million.
The operation was conducted at around 10:45 a.m. by personnel of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Sindangan, the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO), and the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Sindangan.
Authorities intercepted the blue-and-white wing van bearing plate number CDF 8392 after receiving information about the loading of sacks of mineral ore near the Siayan Welcome Arc, close to the boundary between the municipalities of Siayan and Sindangan.
The operation was led by Deputized Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) personnel Martino Magallanes Jr. and Forest Ranger Jimmy Anseling of MENRO-Sindangan, together with Reglin Ayson of OPENRO, who is assigned to Sindangan, and members of the local police.
Magallanes said he received what he described as A1 information from a friend who personally witnessed the loading of the sacks onto the vehicle. Acting on the information, the authorities immediately positioned themselves to intercept the wing van as it reached Barangay Ramon Magsaysay.
When questioned about the contents of the vehicle, the driver reportedly told authorities that it was carrying soil. However, when Magallanes requested that the cargo compartment be opened, the driver agreed, as the load had not been sealed.
An inspection subsequently revealed numerous sacks containing mineral ore.
Since the vehicle’s occupants could not present the required legal transport documents for the mineral cargo, authorities brought the wing van to the Sindangan Police Station for a formal inspection and inventory.
The inspection and inventory were conducted by Engr. Grant Rey Prenala of the MGB, Gloriben D. Dela Cruz of MENRO-Sindangan, Rudy Mabbagu of OPENRO, and other government personnel.
Following the examination, the cargo was classified by authorities as suspected illegally sourced mineral ore. A total of 481 sacks, each estimated to weigh approximately 50 kilograms, were recorded in the seizure receipt, bringing the estimated total weight to 24,050 kilograms.
After the inventory, authorities sealed the cargo and issued a seizure receipt in accordance with the prescribed procedures for the seizure of mineral resources suspected of being illegally transported.
Driver claims cargo was only a backload
The driver was identified as Ganie Fundador Zamora, 56, a resident of Baesa, Quezon City. The vehicle’s trip-in-charge was identified as Jonel Cantora Malanyaon, 29, a resident of Meycauayan, Bulacan.
The wing van is registered to C.M. Anao Transport Services, a transport company based in Woodland, Malanday, Valenzuela City.
Zamora reportedly told authorities that the mineral ore was merely a backload arranged through an agent. According to his account, they had helped rescue or transfer the cargo from its original transport vehicle after the latter allegedly broke down.
However, the absence of the necessary transport documents prompted authorities to seize the vehicle and its cargo for appropriate action.
The available information did not establish the mine or specific location from which the mineral ore originated, nor did it identify the person or entity responsible for its extraction and initial shipment.
Latest in a series of mineral ore seizures
The Sindangan interception follows two previous operations in Zamboanga del Norte involving large shipments of mineral ore suspected of being illegally sourced.
On September 24, 2026, authorities seized three wing vans carrying a combined 1,581 sacks of suspected illegally sourced mineral ore at the Dipolog City Port.
Four days later, on September 28, another wing van loaded with 505 sacks of mineral ore was intercepted at Pulauan Wharf in Dapitan City.
The latest seizure brings renewed attention to the possible movement of undocumented mineral resources through the province’s road networks and seaports.
Following the successive discoveries, authorities said they were intensifying monitoring and security operations at entry and exit points across Zamboanga del Norte to prevent similar shipments from passing through undetected.
The series of interceptions also underscores the importance of enforcing mining and mineral transport regulations, particularly the requirement for appropriate documentation to establish the lawful origin and movement of mineral resources.
Authorities have yet to disclose further details regarding the source of the seized mineral ore, the identities of the individuals who arranged its shipment, or the possible administrative or criminal charges that may be pursued.
The investigation is expected to determine the origin of the cargo, the parties involved in its transportation, and whether violations of applicable mining and environmental laws were committed.