TAMPAKAN, SOUTH COTABATO – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 (DENR-12), through the SOCCSKSARGEN Environmental Protection Task Force (SEPTF), launched an anti-illegal mining operation dubbed Oplan Banlas on March 26, 2025, at Sitio Crossing Apsac, Barangay Tablu, Tampakan.
A joint team of 38 personnel from DENR, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) participated in the operation. The team discovered abandoned makeshift shelters and mining tools, including hydraulic hoses commonly used for illegal mining. These materials were destroyed on-site as part of the enforcement action.
The operation aligns with the directive of SEPTF Chairman and DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer to intensify monitoring of illegal mining sites and ultimately halt unauthorized extraction activities in the region.
DENR-12 has called on the local community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious mining activities. The agency emphasized that public cooperation is essential in preventing illegal mining and preserving the region’s natural resources for future generations.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to environmental protection and law enforcement to combat illegal mining, which poses significant threats to ecosystems and local communities.