3 foreigners face illegal mining raps

THREE Chinese nationals are facing charges in violation of Section 103 of Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Prosecutor Fidel Macauyag said the City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause against Ming Xiang Zing, 34; Wo Fing, 40; and Yu Fring Xi, 39; all from Yunnan, China, who were arrested last Friday, January 25, for allegedly doing illegal mining activities in Barangay Tumpagon, Cagayan de Oro City.

Macauyag told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the complainants, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), have submitted enough evidences in filing the case against the three Chinese nationals.

The three foreigners were arrested by CIDG operatives and MGB representatives, along with two other Chinese nationals, after they were caught in the act of extracting minerals in Barangay Tumpagon.

Recovered from their possession were unrefined gold dust weighing 48.31 grams, fine sand with mercury placed in plastic matting, two wooden pan and a pail of sand with mercury.

The two other Chinese nationals, identified as Yee Ping Dee, 35; and Yee GuangFu, 42, all from Fujian, China, were later released.

“So far, okay naman ang kanilang mga documents against the three Chinese nationals, that's why we charged them with violation of Section 103 theft of minerals of RA 7942,” Macauyag said.

The charges were filed against the foreigners on Monday at the Metropolitan Trial Court in Cities Branch 2, said MGB Regional Director Rex Monsanto.

But Macauyag said "theft of minerals" is bailable of at least P12,000.

"Probably the three accused can post their bail anytime today," he said.

Monsanto added the suspects will be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BID) after undergoing medical and physical examinations.

Macauyag said the City Prosecutor’s Office has already requested the Bureau to take appropriate action and determine if the foreigners have legal and proper documents.

“Hindi sila puwedeng i-release sa immigration dahil kapag ang visa nila ay visitors, then they are not allowed to work here especially in mining so violation `yan at puwede silang kasohan ng immigration,” Macauyag said.

Senior Inspector Pepito Reyes of CIDG said the three Chinese nationals failed to show their passports during interrogation after their arrest.

Aside from the unrefined gold dust, authorities found a backhoe and a dredger used in mining during the raid. All equipment are now under government custody.