By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
BAROBO, Surigao del Sur— An interagency task force led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) will be formed to crack down on large-scale illegal mining operations allegedly financed by Chinese nationals that are threatening the Hinatuan River watershed, officials said.
The task force was agreed upon during a Strategic Meeting on Anti-Illegal Mining attended by national government agencies and local government officials in Surigao del Sur. It aims to curb the proliferation of illegal mining activities in several areas of Barobo town, where operations have reportedly continued despite previous enforcement efforts.
Retired Brig. Gen. Reuel Sorilla, officer in charge and director of the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said the task force will adopt the enforcement framework of Executive Order No. 23 (series of 2011), which imposed a nationwide moratorium on logging in natural and residual forests.
“EO 23 covers everything, including illegal logging and illegal mining. It’s really a matter of tactical effort,” Sorilla told reporters during a press briefing after the meeting.
PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr. said his office would closely monitor the task force’s operations to ensure a decisive impact in stopping illegal mining in the province.
He added that the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration would be included in the task force to look into the legal status and continued stay of foreign nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining operations.
Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel welcomed the creation of the task force, saying national government backing has emboldened local governments to pursue illegal miners more aggressively.
Pimentel said he had issued five cease-and-desist orders since assuming office in July last year, but these were largely ignored as the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office–LGU lacked the authority to enforce them beyond serving notices to barangay officials.
DENR Caraga officer in charge and regional director Marites Ocampo assured local officials that additional deputization orders would be issued to task force members to strengthen enforcement on the ground.
She warned that private landowners who refuse to cooperate—some of whom, according to Pimentel, are allegedly in cahoots with Chinese financiers for monetary gain—could face legal action, including the filing of a Writ of Kalikasan.
Hinatuan Mayor Tito Cañedo III expressed alarm over the environmental damage, saying hazardous waste from rampant illegal mining activities in Barangay Tambis, Barobo, has already endangered the Hinatuan River watershed, including the famed Enchanted River, a major tourist attraction.
“If this continues, the Enchanted River may have to be closed within three months,” Cañedo warned.
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