CIDG busts illegal quarrying in Negros Oriental, 5 people arrested

photo: CIDG
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested on Friday, Feb. 21, five people for their alleged involvement in illegal quarrying operations in a raid in Bacong, Negros Oriental.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the seven-hour operation was conducted based on confirmed intelligence reports about rampant mineral extraction activities in Barangay Isugan that were not authorized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Police arrested suspects Segundino, Elizar, Armando, Romel and Reymart, during the raid.
“The suspects were caught in flagrante delicto while engaging in the unauthorized exploration, extraction, and disposition of mineral resources,” said Torre.
“They are operating mining and quarrying without the necessary mining rights, permits, or agreements from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and other proper authorities,” he added.
Police seized three dump trucks loaded with one cubic meter of sand minerals; three cubic meters of boulder minerals; and mining tools and equipment.
Torre said the suspects will be charged for violation of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) of Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Torre urged the public to report all violations and illegal activities such as illegal mining , illegal quarrying, illegal logging and related crimes.
He said 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.
“The illegal extraction of mineral resources and illegal quarrying is a serious crime that depletes and endangers our environment and natural resources,” said Torre.