Five individuals have been arrested over alleged environmental crimes, including unauthorized mineral extraction activities in Negros Oriental, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Sunday. 

In a statement, CIDG chief PMGen. Nicolas Torre III said the arrested suspects, identified as alias Segundino, Elizar, Armando, Romel and Reymart, were arrested in February following the law enforcement operation against the destruction of the environment and natural resources in Brgy. Isugan, Bacong, Negros Oriental. 

The police operation was part of the CIDG’s flagship project, Oplan Kalikasan. 

According to Torre, the suspects were caught in flagrante delicto while engaging in the unauthorized exploration, extraction, and disposition of mineral resources.

The company was also found operating mining and quarrying activities “without the necessary mining rights, permits, or agreements from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and other proper authorities,” which is a violation of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) of Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

The seized items included three dump trucks carrying one cubic meter of sand minerals, three cubic meters of boulder minerals, and various mining tools and equipment, with a total estimated value of P1,300,000.

Torre stressed that “all mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the State.”

He added, “It shall be the responsibility of the State to promote their rational exploration, development, utilization, and conservation through the combined efforts of government and the private sector in order to enhance national growth in a way that effectively safeguards the environment and protect the rights of affected communities.”