Three Chinese nationals and a Filipino were apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) and partner agencies for their involvement in unauthorized mining activities in Purok 2, Barangay Mambing, New Corella, Davao del Norte on Thursday.
In a statement released on Friday, PRO 11 stated that the apprehended foreign nationals failed to present the required permits and legal documents to justify their operations.
Authorities confiscated heavy equipment used in illegal mining, including three backhoe units, four water pumps, and two sets of fabricated screeners.
Engineer Cris Ryann Ypil of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 11 (MGB 11) confirmed to the media that the said mining operation did not have an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) thus violating Presidential Decree 1586 and Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
PRO 11 Director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete said the arrested individuals are now in the custody of the New Corella Municipal Police Station while the MGB 11) and the PNP are preparing to file appropriate charges against them.
Rosete commended the personnel from the PRO 11 under the New Corella Municipal Police Station, MGB 11, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO-Davao del Norte), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources/City Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR/CENRO), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the successful operation.
“The bold move of PRO 11 in collaboration with other partner agencies against illegal mining is in line with the Chief, PNP General Rommel Francisco Marbil’s firm directive to intensify operations against illegal mining, emphasizing the PNP’s commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources and upholding environmental laws,” Rosete said.
