40 HELD IN N. ECIJA ILLEGAL MINING RAID

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Forty individuals were arrested after they were allegedly caught conducting unauthorized mining activities in Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija, as the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) stepped up its campaign against environmental crimes.

The suspects were nabbed during an anti-illegal mining operation, locally known as “Dulang,” conducted by personnel of the Peñaranda Municipal Police Station in Bgy. Callos.

The operation was led by Capt. Silvestre C. Colanza, officer-in-charge of the Peñaranda MPS, following information about alleged illegal mining activities in the area.

Police said the suspects were caught extracting soil using two backhoes. 

Upon verification, they allegedly failed to present the necessary permits and documents authorizing the mining activity.

Two water pumps were also recovered during the operation and were taken as evidence.

The 40 arrested individuals were brought to the Peñaranda MPS for proper disposition. 

 Police said the alleged foreman or supervisor of the operation remains at-large.

Authorities are preparing charges for violation of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 against the suspects.

Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office director Col. Ritchie R. Claravall said police would continue to intensify operations against illegal mining and other activities that could threaten the environment and public safety.

PRO3 said its units would also strengthen coordination with concerned government agencies and the Peñaranda local government under Mayor Joselito A. Ramos to curb unlawful activities and protect local communities.

PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez said the operation formed part of the regional command’s continuing efforts to enforce environmental laws and protect natural resources.

“Illegal mining is not only a violation of the law. Unregulated excavation can affect the environment and, eventually, the communities around it. Our units will continue to act on these activities and work closely with the proper government agencies to ensure that our natural resources are protected,” Mendez said.

The operation also supports the directive of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. for regional directors and police commanders to strengthen coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the campaign against illegal mining and illegal logging.

Nartatez has emphasized the need for closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, environmental authorities, local governments and communities in protecting the country’s natural resources.

Mendez said protecting communities also means safeguarding the environment on which they depend.

“We will continue to enforce the law wherever illegal activities threaten both,” he said.