Six people, including two police officers, were arrested in Misamis Oriental over suspected illegal mining. Authorities seized ores worth P290,000. (Image by Facebook/ PNP DavNor is for illustration purposes only)
OPOL, Misamis Oriental โ Six people, including two police officers, were arrested at a checkpoint in Opol after authorities intercepted a vehicle carrying suspected illegally extracted mineral ores, police said.
The two officers were identified as assigned in Philippine National Police units in Davao de Oro, according to a police report.
Authorities stopped the vehicle during a checkpoint operation and found 58 sacks of unprocessed mineral ores believed to contain copper and gold. The shipment, valued at about P290,000, allegedly had no transport or mining permits.
All six occupants were taken into custody. Investigators later confirmed that two of those arrested were active police personnel.
The suspects face charges under Republic Act No. 7942, the law governing mining activities in the Philippines.
Police also seized the vehicle used in the transport, along with firearms, ammunition, communication devices and equipment believed linked to illegal mining operations.
The arrests have raised fresh concerns about alleged links between law enforcement personnel and unauthorized resource extraction, an issue that has troubled parts of the country rich in mineral deposits.
The Philippine National Police said the investigation is continuing. Administrative cases are being prepared against the two officers.
Police officials said the doctrine of command responsibility would also be applied to determine whether superior officers bear accountability in the case.
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