Police have arrested 12 people for allegedly engaging in illegal mining in separate operations in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

Personnel of the Cagayan de Oro City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) intercepted two pickup trucks loaded with suspected raw gold ores at a checkpoint in Barangay Tumpagon.

At least seven people on board the trucks were arrested after they failed to present permits for transporting the items.

Authorities confiscated up to 70 sacks of raw gold ores, which will be turned over to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Meanwhile, personnel of the Iligan CMFC set up a checkpoint in Barangay Digkilaan after receiving a tip from an informant about an alleged illegal transport of minerals.

A pickup truck was intercepted later at the checkpoint, which was found to be carrying 15 sacks of suspected mineral ores.

Five people, including a retired police officer and minor, were arrested. The suspects are residents of Lanao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Zamboanga del Sur.

“I commend the operating units involved in these successful operations. PRO10, in coordination with other agencies and the community, remains committed to protecting our natural resources and upholding environmental laws,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Director, Brigadier General Jaysen de Guzman, said.

Police urged the public to report illegal mining operations and other criminal activities to authorities.