Police have arrested at least 30 people in an anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro early this week.

Authorities launched an operation after discovering an alleged illegal mining activities in the area, which resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals.

Around 128 sacks of alleged gold ore, a fabricated blower, jackhammers, chainsaws, generator sets, and other equipment worth more than P5 million were seized.

During the operation, one of the individuals arrested who served as portal guard was also found in possession of a caliber .45 pistol.

Later in the evening, while authorities were doing an inventory of the items recovered, the operating team received information about armed individuals on board a pickup truck approaching the area.

Authorities responded and arrested three more suspects and confiscated three guns, ammunition, and other items.

All individuals arrested are now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for filing of charges for violation of the Philippine Mining Act (RA 7942), while the seized items were turned over to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

"Ang operasyon na ito ay nagpapakita ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng ating mga law enforcement units at partner agencies sa pagpapatupad ng batas. Hindi lamang natin pinoprotektahan ang ating likas na yaman, kundi pinananatili rin natin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa mga komunidad. Patuloy nating isasagawa ang ganitong mga operasyon nang may propesyonalismo, paggalang sa karapatang pantao, at mahigpit na pagsunod sa due process," PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said.