A Chinese national and eight Filipinos were arrested for allegedly mining gold illegally in Barangay Poblacion 1, a hinterland village in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

The operation was carried out by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Caraga (NBI-13), together with personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Caraga (MGB-13), police, and Military Intelligence Group of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

Authorities launched the operation after receiving information about individuals, some of whom were believed to be Chinese nationals, allegedly mining gold in the barangay illegally.

NBI-13 said they will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to determine the identity of the Chinese national arrested.

The Filipinos arrested are residents of Santiago, Agusan del Norte; Sta. Maria, Bulucan; Loreto, Agusan del Sur; Butuan City; Magallanes, Agusan del Norte; Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay; Tubay, Agusan del Norte; and Barangay Tolosa, Cabadbaran City.

Authorities confirmed that the individuals arrested have no authority, license, or permit to conduct mining operations.

They may face charges for theft of minerals under the Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942).

During the operation, the team confiscated several bags of fine sand with traces of gold and other mining equipment, including backhoes, payloaders, a dump truck, generator sets, welding machines, a sluice machine, excavators, excavator buckets, a fuel container, among others.

NBI-13 added that the area disturbed by the alleged illegal mining has already reached more than eight hectares.

Authorities said the alleged operation in the area has been ongoing for quite some time, based on investigation and surveillance.