In line with the directives of the Chief, Philippine National Police, POLICE GENERAL NICOLAS D TORRE III, on swift and responsive police service, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) intensified its operations against all criminalities and violations of environmental laws across the country.
The CIDG Regional Field Unit 13, together with the Enforcement Division, Department of Environment and National Resources Region 13, the PNP Special Action Force, and territorial police units, launched a law enforcement operation under CIDG OPLAN KALIKASAN (Campaign against Unlawful Destruction of Natural Resources) in Barangay Bunawan Brooks, Agusan Del Sur, that resulted in the arrest of thirteen suspects, including four Chinese on July 10, 2025.
PBGen Romeo J Macapaz, Acting Director of CIDG, stated that the arrested suspects were identified as “Pinwu,” “Hua,” “Viang,” and “Tingging,” all Chinese, and nine Filipinos—”Crishan,” “Joseph,” “Arnel,” “Justine,” “Willy,” “Joel,” “Krainier,” “Harold,” and “Juvy.”
They were caught while allegedly engaging in illegal mining activity, particularly extracting gold and other associated minerals without the proper permit and license from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The authorities seized equipment and materials, including gold-bearing sand, basins, sluice machines and boxes, excavators, generator sets, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, fuel, shovels, solar lights, and solar panels, among others, with an approximate value of P7,987,900.00.
Macapaz emphasized 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 that the State promotes its 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 protects the rights of affected communities.
I commend the CIDG Regional Field Unit 13 for your swift and responsive action that led to the arrests of these thirteen suspects. It underscores our fight against crimes involving the environment and natural resources. With their arrest, we significantly prevented the destruction of the environment and made them accountable for the crime. Maraming Salamat sa inyo.
The arrested suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) in relation to Section 55 (Minerals Processing Permit) of Republic Act No. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and Section 27 of Republic Act 7076 (People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991).
Rest assured that your CIDG is steadfast in enforcing all the laws and relentless in catching all violators and criminals, local or foreign nationals alike. We urge the public to report all illegal activities concerning our environment, such as illegal fishing, illegal mining, illegal quarrying, illegal logging, and related environmental crimes, and your CIDG will do the rest. “We are CIDG; we will act on the difficult task immediately,” PBGem Macapaz stated.
