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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Atin ang ginto sa Agusan': CIDG busts foreigner-funded gold mining in Agusan del Sur raid

'Atin ang ginto sa Agusan': CIDG busts foreigner-funded gold mining in Agusan del Sur raid

Published Jul 18, 2025 09:19 am

At A Glance

  • According to the CIDG intelligence report, the arrested four Chinese were the financiers of the illegal mining of gold in Agusan del Sur.
CIDG operatives secure the illegal gold mining site in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur during a raid after confirming a foreigner-funded illegal mining activity. Four Chinese and nine Filipinos were arrested in the operation. (photo: CIDG)
CIDG operatives secure the illegal gold mining site in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur during a raid after confirming a foreigner-funded illegal mining activity. Four Chinese and nine Filipinos were arrested in the operation. (photo: CIDG)
Police arrested four foreigners and nine Filipinos for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities during a raid in a remote area in Agusan del Sur.
Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation stemmed from a confirmed intelligence report about the involvement of Chinese in illegal gold mining activity in Barangay Bunawan Brooks in Bunawan town.
According to the CIDG intelligence report, the arrested four Chinese were the ones financing the illegal mining of gold in the area.
Accompanied by local environment officials and local police forces, CIDG operatives swooped down on the area and arrested 13 people, including four Chinese.
“They were caught while allegedly engaging in illegal mining activity, particularly extracting gold and other associated minerals without the proper permit and license from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau,” said Macapaz.
Seized were equipment and materials, including gold-bearing sand, basins, sluice machines and boxes, excavators, generator sets, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, fuel, shovels, solar lights, and solar panels.
He said the confiscated items have an estimated amount of P8 million.
Following the operation, Macapaz emphasized that all mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the State.
“This operation underscores our fight against crimes involving the environment and natural resources. With their arrest, we significantly prevented the destruction of the environment and made them accountable for the crime,” he said.
The arrested suspects were charged with violations of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) in relation to Section 55 (Minerals Processing Permit) of Republic Act No. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Section 27 of Republic Act 7076 (People's Small-scale Mining Act of 1991).
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