Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) have arrested six persons for alleged illegal quarrying operations in Lian, Batangas.
Those arrested last June 24 were identified by the NBI as Rodel Marinduque, Francis Dacuya, Claudio Tamayo, Roger Betonia, Sonny Marinduque, and Jovencio Malabanan.
The NBI said they were presented for investigation before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila for violations of Republic Act No. 7942, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor said the operation was requested by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Protection and Enforcement Task Force (DENR-EPETF).
Distor said the NBI was successful in verifying “the existence of illegal quarrying activities within the area despite issuance of a cease and desist order (CDO).”
The NBI said that upon verification from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) of Batangas, “the list revealed that there is no existing permit issued within the area of Lian, Batangas, thus, making the quarrying operation in the target area unlawful and illegal.”