By Jeffrey Damicog
Eight persons were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the illegal quarrying of vibro sand in Tarlac City.
NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified those arrested as site manager Ernesto Torres; Reynaldo Balajadia, the owner of the lot where the vibro plant is located; and workers Rene Santiago, Joseph Acuna, Norman Ibasco, Jeovy Mojello, Raul Lazamana, and Ryan Santos.
The NBI’s Environment Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) arrested them on Tuesday during operations against J2KAT Vibro Sand Trading which was engaged in illegal quarrying in Barangay Telabanca in Conception, Tarlac.
“They were arrested in an operation which stemmed from information that a quarry operation and processing of minerals in Brgy. Telabanca, Concepcion, Tarlac are operating without the necessary permit from the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of the Province of Tarlac and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region III (DENR-MGB Region III),” the NBI said.
The NBI-EnCD filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) charges against the eight and a certain Mark John Gopez, who remains at large, for violating Section 3 of the Republic Act 7942, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Distor said those arrested failed to present to NBI agents any permit issued by the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board or the DENR-MGB Region III.
Agents also seized from the site heavy equipment and minerals worth P3.942 million.