Authorities have intercepted three vehicles carrying sacks of suspected ore minerals and arrested 19 people, including a police officer, at a checkpoint in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Personnel of the 2nd Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and other police units held two pickup trucks and a shuttle loaded with around 76 sacks of ore minerals.

Authorities said the drivers and laborers on board the vehicles allegedly failed to present documents for the cargo.

The suspects arrested are residents of Davao City and Nabunturan, Maco, and New Bataan in Davao de Oro.

Authorities added that the 47-year-old police officer arrested was assigned at the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (RPHAS) of the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11).

They are now under the custody of the Bunawan Municipal Police Station and may face charges for alleged violation of the Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942).