Illegal mining sites in Sarangani raided

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Police operatives in Southwest Mindanao confiscated several equipment allegedly used for illegal mining in Sarangani province.

The police office in Soccskargen Region said the operatives raided the mining sites in sitios Blakal Bulol and Ibang, both in Barangay La Union in Maitum town, where they confiscated several equipment and mineral ores.

Senior Inspector Benjamin Mauricio, police regional information division head, said that among those seized from small-scale miners in Maitum included 12 units of steel cylinder or ball mills, steel cutter, electric drill, handsaw and engines.

Also in nearby Kiamba town, police conducted surprise raids in Kilometer-4, Sitio Linik in Barangay Nalus, where they seized several materials and minerals used in ball mill operations.

These included five engines, 28 steel cylinder or ball mills, four shovels, wash basins, and several sacks of suspected mineral ores.

Mauricio said the recovered items were turned over for custody at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenro) in Maitum and Kiamba towns.

Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala, deputy police director for operations in Southwest Mindanao, assured residents that they would continue to keep watch of illegal mining activities, which he said, harm the environment.

He said this is in line with their intensified campaign against mining.

"Landslides, flashfloods, and other disasters could be caused by people involved in illegal activities, including mining," Kiunisala said.

"The region is surrounded with beautiful scenic spots, which might be destroyed if people would continue their destruction of our mountains," he added. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)