8 nabbed in Camarines Norte for illegal mining

Eight individuals were nabbed for llegal mining in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday. 

The PNP said that the eight were caught after it conducted a joint operation at Barangay Luklukan Sur on Wednesday. They said that the mining activities had no required permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the MGB, which led to the arrest of the eight and the seizure of heavy equipment and 50 tons of suspected gold ore.

The nabbed individuals will be facing charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and RA 7076 regulating small-scale mining programs.

“Illegal mining destroys our environment and puts lives at risk. We will continue to support operations like this to make sure those who profit from these illegal activities are held accountable,” said PNP Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

“Siguraduhin naming ligtas ang operasyon, naipapatupad ang batas nang patas, at nararamdaman ng publiko ang presensya ng pulis. Hindi po tayo titigil sa ganitong mga operasyon,” he added.

(We will ensure that our operation is safe, that the law is enforced justly, and that the public feels the presence of the police. We will not stop these kinds of operations.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News