Three men allegedly involved in an illegal quarry operation were arrested during an entrapment operation in Barangay Malamba, Marilog District, Davao City.
According to the the National Bureau of Investigation Region-Davao (NBI-11), the suspects were arrested after they were allegedly caught engaging in illegal quarrying activities in the area.
“Sa site naabutan natin na nag-ooperate sila illegal activities arrested on site yong backhoe operator at dalawang operator ng dump truck loaded na rin kasi ang dump truck eh tapos naghuhukay pa rin yong backhoe that time,” NBI-11 Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Gerald Laude Intes, said.
The arrested individuals did not issue any statements and are now in the custody of the NBI-11 custodial facility.
NBI-11 is also investigating the possible involvement of several barangay officials in the illegal quarrying activities in the area.
“May marching order yong regional director to expound the investigation dahil may mga lumulutang na mga pangalan ng brgy officials pero di pa makompleto muna kung makumpleto natin heads will roll magpa-file tayo. Onsite barangay, yung mga equipment na ginamit pag-aari ng kabilang barangay,” Intes added.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) reportedly filed a complaint with the NBI regarding the alleged illegal quarrying activities in the area.
“Yung glow ng river nasisira na napondo na ang tubig tapos pag-nag-release ng tubig yong dam ayon baba lahat. Catchbasin ang city natin kaya bumabaha… notwithstanding sa flood control, we believe isa to sa dahilan,” Intes said.
According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Davao (NBI-11), illegal quarrying is unregulated, making it difficult to determine the amount of mineral resources being extracted.
MGB-11 added that it may also contribute to flooding, especially during heavy rains.
“Kung di siya regulated ug kung di sab siya monitored, pwede man gud niya ma-alter o ma-modify ang atoang natural channel, posible sab makaapekto sila sa scouring sa gilid sa suba so pwede makalkal ang gilid sa natural waterways nga isa pud sa hunungdan nganong mahitabo ang pagbaha sa isa ka area,” MGB-11 Director, Beverly Brebante, said.
