BACOLOD City — Nine individuals, including a Chinese national, were arrested in a joint anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on February 26, authorities said.
The operation, conducted under Oplan Kalikasan, was led by the provincial office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) with support from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported that the suspects were allegedly caught extracting mineral resources without lawful authority.
Identified by the CIDG through aliases were a Chinese national known as “Xiong” and eight others — “Bert,” “Joey,” “Chris,” “Rey,” “Leo,” “Randy,” “Dante,” and “Egay.” Two were residents of Hinoba-an, while the others were from Masbate, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Bukidnon, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Davao Oriental.
Authorities said the suspects failed to present the necessary mining rights, permits, or agreements from the DENR–Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and other regulatory bodies.
Confiscated during the operation were two backhoe trucks, three 10-wheeler dump trucks, a vibrating screen machine, and an automatic generator set control panel, with an estimated total value of P17.5 million.
The arrested individuals will face charges before the National Prosecution Service for violations of Sections 102 (illegal exploration) and 103 (theft of minerals) of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, in relation to Section 3(c) of Republic Act No. 7076, also known as the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.
Negros Occidental Gov.Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the coordinated enforcement action, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding the province’s natural resources.
“Effective environmental governance requires decisive enforcement anchored on the rule of law,” Lacson said, reiterating that a mining permit is a privilege granted by the State, not a right.
While responsible mining may contribute to development, he stressed that illegal and abusive practices erode public trust, damage ecosystems, and hamper sustainable progress.
Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias confirmed that the municipal government initiated an investigation after receiving a formal letter-complaint from concerned farmers regarding the reported illegal mining activities.
Following validation of the initial findings, the municipal government referred the matter to the Provincial Environment Management Office and coordinated with the DENR, MGB, and law enforcement agencies for joint inspection and technical evaluation.
“I am firmly against illegal mining. Any extraction of our natural resources without lawful permits, regulatory compliance, and environmental safeguards is unacceptable. The rule of law must prevail,” Reliquias said.
Provincial officials assured the public that the government remains steadfast in strictly enforcing environmental laws and upholding regulatory processes to protect natural resources for present and future generations./PN
