By CRIS DIAZ
CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City: Seven Chinese nationals, five males and two females, were arrested for illegal mining in Opol, Misamis Oriental, the police here said Friday.
Police Maj. Joan Navarro, the regional police spokesperson, on Friday said that the police also seized mining equipment worth P18.9 million used in illegal mining activities in Libani, a remote village in Tingalan, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
She said that the raid was carried out on July 23, 2025, in coordination with the maritime police, environmental officials, mobile police forces in Misamis Oriental, and the town police of Opol.
Seized during the operation were two hydraulic excavators, one separator unit, one wheel loader, two rolls of carpet/matting, one sack of washed sand, two sets of water pumps, and one roll of water hose, with a total estimated market value of PhP18,922,500.00. Navarro stated that the seven Chinese nationals reportedly entered the country as tourists.
Navarro said that the Chinese nationals are now in the custody of maritime authorities in Misamis Oriental.
Charges for violation of Republic Act No. 7942, also known as the “Illegal Mining Act,” will be filed against the suspects.
