FOUR small scale miners were arrested after they were caught in the act of processing gold ores at Panat, Suyoc, Mankayan, Benguet on Thursday, November 14.
Major Cesar Sab-it, Mankayan Municipal Police Station chief of police said joint operatives of Mankayan police and personnel from Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the Cordillera and Department of Environment and Natural Resources apprehended miners Josue Abansi Delmas, 42, native of Central Kapangan; Kurt Tacay Briones, 32 and Christopher Minong Mat-an, 33, both native of Itogon, Benguet and Rudy Juliano y Otingey, 48, native of Panat, Suyoc, Mankayan.
The operatives were conducting operations on various mining sites in Barangays Suyoc and Taneg which led to the arrest of the suspects who were caught red handed while processing gold ore by the use of ball mill.
Complaints for violation of Republic Act 7492 for illegal processing of ore were filed against the suspects but were able to post bail bond.
Evidence such as three motor (dynamo) with an estimated value of P 30,000 and 12 half sacks of ore with undetermined value were confiscated and now under the custody of Mankayan police.
Police together with the MGB-CAR, DENR/CENRO warned miners without permit to stop processing gold ores and to abide with the stoppage order to avoid any violations.
The environment department previously reiterated that illegal small scale mining operations in the region remain illegal and mining operations are only allowed in declared Minahang Bayan areas.