Authorities arrested six people and seized illegal mining equipment and materials worth more than P12 million in separate operations in Barobo, Surigao del Sur.

According to the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13), the operations were launched after authorities received information about illegal mining activities at the boundary of Barangays Bahi and Mamis.

During the operation on Sunday, June 28, 2026, authorities arrested three men allegedly caught in the act of extracting mineral resources without the required permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The three were identified as alias Elmer, 52; alias Arvin, 37: and alias Jiar, 38; all residents of Barobo town.

The operating team confiscated a backhoe worth around P7 million, soil material containing gold-associated minerals, several gasoline-powered water pumps, chainsaws, hoses, gold pans, shovels, and other mining paraphernalia.

“This successful operation underscores our firm commitment to enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding our natural resources from illegal exploitation,” PRO-13 Director, Brigadier General Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, said.

The day before, authorities arrested three people during an anti-illegal mining operation in the same town.

The suspects were identified as alias Jeff, 33; alias Roland, 34; and alias Nora, 45; all residents of Barangay Tagongon, Tagbina town.

The suspects were also allegedly caught in the act of extracting mineral resources without the necessary permits from DENR.

Seized during the operation were a backhoe worth around P5 million, three sacks of soil containing suspected gold-associated minerals, several diesel- and gasoline-powered water pumps, and various mining paraphernalia.

All suspects arrested in the two operations were taken under police custody pending the filing of charges for violation of the Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942).