Five individuals were 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 (MGB) 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.

Among the seized items were three dump trucks loaded with one cubic meter of sand minerals; three cubic meters of boulder minerals; and 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.”

Torre lamented all illegal extraction of mineral resources and illegal quarrying shall be considered “a serious crime that depletes and endangers our environment and natural resources.”

He then urged the public to report all similar violations in their respective communities.