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Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI

30 arrested, ₱5.5-M in gold ore and equipment seized in Davao de Oro illegal mining raid

by Rhoda Grace Saron July 9, 2026

written by Rhoda Grace Saron

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.”

July 9, 2026 0 comments

News

Flood threat eases as artificial dam in San Isidro, Jose Abad Santos, breached

by Nova Mae Francas June 26, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE PROVINCIAL government of Davao Occidental successfully breached an artificial dam formed in Barangay San Isidro, Jose Abad Santos, brought about by the landslide after the 7.8 magnitude quake on June 8.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Davao Occidental announced on Wednesday, June 24, that the dam-breaching operation was completed successfully.

“Nitong hapon po successful na nalagyan ng daluyan ng tubig ang artificial dam sa Brgy. San Isidro at nakarating na sa Brgy. Nuing sa coastal areas natin yung tubig mula sa upland barangay sa San Isidro,” JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce said in a Facebook video.

The agency said the breaching operation is to control the flow of water upstream and reduce the possible threats to flash floods in the communities, as monitoring and response efforts are ongoing.

“Padayon ang monitoring ug clearing operations aron masiguro ang kaluwasan sa tanan ug malikayan ang dugang nga peligro sa maong lugar,” PDRRMO Davao Occidental said.

An artificial dam happens when landslide debris obstructs natural waterways, causing water to accumulate upstream, forming a temporary artificial lake.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI said that possible flashfloods or debris flows might occur should a dam break, which could happen during extreme weather conditions or aftershocks. So, residents living downstream must immediately evacuate for their own safety.

JAS information officer Julie Marie Buen reported that about 2,000 residents evacuated to a safer area as a precautionary measure.

To note, the five sites of artificial dams were identified in the barangays of Butuan, Camalian, Malalan, San Isidro, and Sugal, according to Jose Abad Santos’ summary reports.

As of June 24, the local government of JAS reported seven deaths, 40 injuries, and 13 are still missing from the 7.8 magnitude quake.

The number of affected families reached 22,576, while 4,376 households are situated in evacuation sites and temporary shelters.

The local government reported 6,700 damaged houses, where 2,648 are totally damaged, and 4,052 are partially damaged.

Damaged infrastructures included 39 schools (405 classrooms); 16 barangay halls; 8 barangay gymnasiums; 13 health facilities; 18 other facilities; and 74 churches.

June 26, 2026 0 comments

News

2,000 JAS residents evacuated as flashfloods feared after quake created artificial dams

by Nova Mae Francas June 15, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE OFFICE of the Civil Defense (OCD) XI is assessing five artificial dams in Jose Abad Santos town, Davao Occidental, which were created by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani on June 8.

The five sites were identified in the barangays of Butuan, Camalian, Malalan, San Isidro, and Sugal, according to Jose Abad Santos’ summary reports.

The MGB XI said that artificial dams form when earthquake-triggered landslides block natural waterways.

JAS information officer Julie Marie Buen reported that about 2,000 residents have been evacuated to a safer area as a precautionary measure.

OCD XI regional director Ednar Dayanghirang said they are considering three methods to safely drain the impounded water, which is still undergoing ground evaluations at the municipal level.

The methods include controlled blasting to break open the blockages; manual excavation using manpower; and inserting siphon tubes to allow controlled water drainage.

“The three options will be evaluated by the provincial government of Davao Occidental and the municipal government of Jose Abad Santos, and tonight during our meeting, it will be decided,” Dayanghirang said.

The MGB XI released a GeoHazard Threat Advisory on June 14 following its aerial survey that showed earthquake-induced landslides resulting in five artificial damming in Nuing River in Barangay San Isidro, Sugal River in Barangay Sugal, Butuan River in Barangay Molmol, Malalan River, and an unnamed creek in Barangay Malalan.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Jose Abad Santos reported another damming in Barangay Camalian.

June 15, 2026 0 comments

Environment News

Stop desilting

by Nova Mae Francas September 8, 2025

written by Nova Mae Francas

10 barangays call for immediate probe, suspension of activities on watershed

A JOINT resolution from several barangays called for an immediate investigation of desilting operations in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed due to alleged violations and non-compliance with environmental regulations.

The joint resolution of 10 barangays said that it was “respectfully requesting the Honorable City Mayor of Davao City and the technical working group of the Davao City Desilting Ordinance to conduct an immediate investigation and temporarily suspend the desilting operations in the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed.”

The Panigan-Tamugan is a vital source of drinking water in the

The resolution, obtained by TIMES, was signed by Jennifer Porgarilas, Barangay chairman of Gumalang; Margie Binobo of Wines; Ronilo Celez, acting chairman of Tamugan; Arnel Liong of Malagos; Joselito Cajes of Baguio proper; Loreto Amoy of Suawan; Ricardo Gierran of Tawan-tawan; Socrates Estomata of Carmen; Leonard Cabang, acting chairman of Cadalian, and Jesabel Suboy, barangay kagawad of Tambobong.

Alleged violations

The resolution highlighted concerns that current desilting activities, if not properly monitored and coordinated, could exacerbate negative impacts on the affected barangays.

They claimed that the desilting permittees failed to coordinate with the affected barangays.

The failure to communicate led to numerous complaints from the residents.

For instance, the operations allegedly exceeded the allowable desilting extraction of only one meter of the riverbed, as stipulated in the Ordinance No. 0742-25. Also, a mechanical separator was being operated on-site without the necessary permits from the local government and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI.

It also pointed out that operations are being conducted beyond the prescribed delivery hauling time, which should be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to allow monitoring by government checkers.

“The alleged violations, if proven, constitute apparent non-compliance with the City Ordinance No. 0333-15, Series of 2015, undermining its intent to balance environmental protection with flood mitigation measures,” the resolution stressed.

However, the resolution emphasized that the barangays do not oppose desilting, crucial for flood control and water regulation, but it must be properly implemented.

The barangay officials called for the temporary suspension of desilting operations pending the outcome of the investigation.

The resolution was forwarded to the Watershed Management Council, CMO, and the City Engineer’s Office for appropriate action.

Complaints

In a letter dated Aug. 5 to Celez of Tamugan, parents of Tamugan ES and NHS students requested for assistance to request the owner of huge trucks to avoid using the road during specific hours as it posed safety risks to students going to school.

“Ang rason niini tungod sa kagamay sa maong kalsada maong apiki kaayo ug hadlok para sa mga bata. Mohangyo mi nimo Sir nga imo ming tabangan sa among mulo para sa among mga anak,” the letter stated.

It specifically requested to restrict truck passage during school hours 6-8 a.m., 12 noon-1 p.m., and 4-5 p.m. on weekdays.

This was also reiterated by John Paul N. Paculdo, Tamugan NHS School head, and Samuel Cabales, Tamugan ES Principal I.

“It has been observed that large trucks often intersect at the narrow road fronting the school, and when two or more of them meet, they resort to backing into the school entrance to make way. This practice poses a serious hazard,” Paculdo said.

Cabales also said that Tamugan Elementary School has 315 learners from kinder to grade six and the school is situated along the substandard road which is very risky when overloaded big trucks loaded with boulders and sand pass by.

Photo: Bantay Bukid

September 8, 2025 0 comments