AUTHORITIES arrested 30 individuals and seized an estimated ₱5.54 million worth of gold ore and equipment during a joint anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro, on Tuesday, July 7.
The crackdown was executed by a multi-agency task force led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI.
Twenty-seven individuals were initially apprehended after authorities caught them in the act of operating an illegal mining site. The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
According to official reports, law enforcement recovered:
- 128 sacks of suspected gold ore
- Jackhammers, chainsaws, generator sets, an inverter generator, and a fabricated blower
- One Isuzu ELF truck used for transport
During the initial sweep, police also discovered that a portal guard at the site was illegally carrying a .45 caliber pistol.
The operation continued later that evening when authorities flagged a white pick-up truck with armed individuals while they were conducting an inventory of the seized contraband.
A swift follow-up response by the police intercepted the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of three additional suspects. Authorities confiscated three more firearms and ammunition from the vehicle.
All 30 suspects are currently held in custody at the CIDG-Davao de Oro office pending the filing of formal charges. The seized mineral ores and mining equipment have been turned over to MGB XI for proper disposition.
The operation was the result of inter-agency coordination by CIDG Davao de Oro, Pantukan Municipal Police Station, Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion XI, the Highway Patrol Group, and the MGB XI.
PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. lauded the operation for their tactical precision and synergy.
”Ang operasyon na ito ay nagpapakita ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng ating mga law enforcement units at partner agencies sa pagpapatupad ng batas,” Nartatez said in a statement. “Hindi lamang natin pinoprotektahan ang ating likas na yaman, kundi pinananatili rin natin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa mga komunidad.”
