Seven arrested, P16M items seized at illegal quarrying operation in Negros Occidental

Around seven people were arrested while P16-million worth of equipment and materials were seized at a raid on an illegal quarrying operation in the town of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on 25 August 2026.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP_ Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the said joint operation was conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), together with the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau–Negros Island Region (MGB-NIR).

He furthered that the operation was conducted along the Binalbagan River following information on alleged unauthorized quarrying activities in the area.

The suspects who were arrested include: 44-year-old backhoe driver from Binalbagan; 30-year-old dump truck driver from Hinigaran; 28-year-old quarry checker from Moises Padilla; 37-year-old dump truck driver from La Castellana; 40-year-old dump truck driver from La Castellana; 42-year-old helper from La Castellana; and 45-year-old dump truck driver from Hinigaran.

The individuals were allegedly caught in the act of extracting, collecting, loading, and transporting sand, gravel, rocks, and other quarry resources from the riverbed using a backhoe and dump trucks. When asked to present the required permits, authorities, or other documents authorizing the extraction and transportation of quarry resources, they failed to produce valid documentation.

The operation resulted in the seizure of one backhoe, four dump trucks, and approximately 60 cubic meters of sand and gravel.

The four dump trucks were estimated at P12,000,000.00, the backhoe at P4,000,000.00, and the extracted sand and gravel at P25,000.00, bringing the total estimated value of the seized equipment and materials to P16,025,000.00.

The apprehended individuals were informed of their constitutional rights in a language known to and understood by them before being brought to Moises Padilla MPS for documentation and proper disposition.

The seized equipment and quarry materials were likewise turned over to the same police station for safekeeping, inventory, documentation, and appropriate legal proceedings.