Chinese operator of alleged illegal mining nabbed

A CHINESE national linked to illegal mining activity in Cagayan de Oro City was arrested on Thursday.

Military personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and environmental group Sulog led the arrest operation.

Orlando Ravanera, Sulog chair and regional director of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), said the arrested Chinese national, who admitted to be the operator of the gold extracting operation, is only holding a leisure visa.

More than four barges were padlocked during the raid in the hinterland barangays of Cagayan de Oro. Ravanera said there are actually 12 barges operating in the villages of Tuburan, Tumpagon, and other areas. Some of the barges were already abandoned 30 minutes before the raiding team arrived.

The raiding team also confiscated a 9 mm. pistol and other evidence from the possession of the Chinese national.

Ravanera said the Chinese national, whose name is being withheld, was turned over to the police for filing of appropriate charges.

The raid was conducted to address the unabated illegal mining activities along the Iponan River in Cagayan de Oro City.

The illegal mining activities were reported to have been concealed as sand and gravel quarrying activities, based on the permits issued to the operators. (Abigail Chee Kee Malalis)