Around 40 people were arrested after they were caught by authorities engaging in illegal gold mining activities at Barangay Callos in the town of Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija on 24 September 2026.

According to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), these 40 suspects were arrested along with the confiscation of their equipment that includes two water pumps and two backhoes.

The operation stemmed from a report received by Peñaranda MPS at around 3:50 PM regarding a group conducting illegal mining activities in the area.

At about 8:00 PM, responding police officers caught the individuals in the act of extracting soil using two backhoes for gold mining. Upon verification, the individuals failed to present the necessary permits and documents authorizing them to conduct mining activities.

All the arrested individuals consisted of 32 males and eight females, aged 18 to 64 years old, and were residents of Peñaranda, Gapan City, San Leonardo, General Tinio, San Antonio, and other areas in Nueva Ecija.

One of them was identified as a backhoe operator, while a foreman/supervisor and a financer reportedly involved in the operation remain at large.

Recovered during the operation were two water pumps and two backhoes. The arrested individuals and recovered items were brought to the Peñaranda Municipal Police Station for proper disposition, while the heavy equipment remained at the site under police security.

A criminal complaint for violation of R.A. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), is being prepared against the arrested individuals.