17 nabbed for illegal mining in Camarines Norte

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Seventeen individuals were arrested during a joint, intelligence-driven operation against illegal mining in Barangay Luklukan Sur in Panganiban town, Camarines Norte.

The operation was led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Jose Panganiban Municipal Police Station under the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office.

READ: 8 nabbed for alleged illegal mining in Camarines Norte — PNP

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Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said the suspects were caught on Wednesday conducting mining activities without permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, in violation of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) and RA 9516, which regulates the possession and use of explosives and related materials.

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“Several items were seized, including heavy equipment and mining tools such as backhoes, generators, compressors, water pumps, a cement mixer, hoisting winches, and various electrical components,” Calubaquib said.

She said 690 sacks of suspected gold ore, 17 pieces of suspected gold amalgam, approximately one kilogram of mercury, and multiple explosive materials, including blasting caps, ammonium nitrate, time fuses, and improvised explosive devices, were retrieved.

The arrested individuals are now in police custody.

The confiscated explosives are under the NBI, while the equipment was turned over to barangay officials for safekeeping.

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Brigadier Gen. Erosito N. Miranda, Bicol police chief, said the operation highlights strong inter-agency cooperation in enforcing environmental laws.

“Strict enforcement of the law against illegal mining and other activities that destroy our environment will be carried out. We will not allow our natural resources to be exploited. With the help of our partner agencies and the public’s continued cooperation, our campaign will be more effective in holding violators accountable and protecting the environment,” Miranda said./coa

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