Twenty-two individuals involved in illegal mining were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after conducting illegal mining operations in Sitio Bugwak, Barangay Tingalan, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission will be among those investigating the illegal mining operations due to their impact on the country.
Among those detained were operators, laborers, welders, and supervisors, including two Chinese nationals overseeing the illegal activities.
Seized items included two backhoes, two generators, six water pumps, two trommels, thirty sacks of mineral ores, and two dump trucks.
The identities of the masterminds who provided protection to the suspects are expected to be determined in the coming days.
For now, those arrested have been detained while authorities are preparing the possible cases to be filed against them.
The suspects were presented before Mayor Jay Bago and the media prior to a press conference January 25.
