8 Chinese nabbed in P153-M mining raid

Eight Chinese nationals were among 18 people arrested in a large-scale anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Mabini, Surigao City, on 14 October, with authorities seizing heavy equipment and other items valued at an estimated P153 million.

The Police Regional Office Caraga said the raid resulted in the confiscation of mining equipment, vehicles, firearms and other paraphernalia allegedly used in illegal mining activities.

The eight Chinese nationals were identified as aliases Chow, 53; Chao, 58; Hao, 39; Long, 51; and Tsua Peng, 53, all residents of Hunan, China; Yong, 53, and Wen, 52, both from Gansu, China; and Wan, 33, from Guangzhou, China.

The 10 Filipino suspects included four residents of Surigao City, two from Davao City, and one each from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao de Oro and Surigao del Norte.

Authorities seized eight dump trucks, five payloaders, 16 excavators, eight generator sets, eight pieces and one roll of sluice matting, four improvised sluice machines, a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, two compressors, a drum of hydraulic oil, 15 panel boards, seven batteries, two containers of grease oil and two drums of diesel fuel.

An Armscor Model 3 shotgun with 12 rounds of ammunition and two improvised air guns were also recovered.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and various PRO-Caraga units.

Regional police director Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon credited interagency coordination for the operation.

“The success of this operation is attributed to the strong partnership and coordination between PRO-13 (Caraga) and other law enforcement agencies, all working toward the common goal of protecting and preserving our natural resources,” Suguilon said.

He said the regional police would pursue all legal means to hold those responsible for the alleged large-scale illegal mining operation accountable.

The arrested individuals remain in the custody of the Surigao City Police Station pending proper disposition, while the confiscated equipment was turned over to MGB-Caraga for safekeeping.