BACOLOD CITY - Authorities arrested seven individuals and seized P16.025 million worth of equipment and materials from an alleged illegal quarrying operations during a joint law enforcement operation in Hacienda Bag-o, Barangay Crossing Magallon, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, August 25.

A report from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified the suspects as “Rom,” 44, of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, a backhoe operator; “Rit,” 30, and a 45-year-old dump truck driver, both residents of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental; Jer,” 28, of Moises Padilla, a quarry checker; “Gem,” 37, and “Hen,” 40, both dump truck drivers; and “Ron,” 42, a helper, all residents of La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

The Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG)-NIR, in coordination with Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-NIR reportedly caught them allegedly conducting quarrying activities using a backhoe to extract and collect sand, gravel, rocks, and other quarry resources along the Binalbagan River, which were being loaded onto dump trucks for transport.

Authorities conducted inspection and verification of their operations. However, upon requesting them to present the necessary permits, these persons failed to present any valid documents or permits authorizing the said activities.

The PRO-NIR said that the seven individuals violated Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Recovered during the operation were a backhoe, four dump trucks, two record books, a ballpen, and P8,000 in cash.

The seized equipment and other recovered items were turned over to the local police or safekeeping, documentation, inventory, and appropriate disposition, subject to the conduct of the necessary legal proceedings.

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director warned that they will remain relentless in stopping illegal quarrying activities, enforcing the law, and holding violators accountable.

“We will not stand by while our rivers and natural resources are illegally exploited for personal gain,” Cardiño said.

He said this is more than an enforcement operation; it is a decisive action to protect what belongs to the people.

“Our message is clear: lawful livelihood will always be respected, but illegal exploitation of our natural resources will never be tolerated,” he stressed.

Last February, authorities also discovered an alleged illegal small-scale mining operation in Barangay Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, resulting in the arrest of nine persons.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental has earlier reiterated its commitment to ensuring that environmental laws are strictly implemented and that regulatory processes are upheld without exception.