AN INDIVIDUAL was arrested while some P2.65 million worth of mineral ores were seized in a law enforcement operation in the province of Lanao del Norte, the police said Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao, identified the arrested individual as alias Kuya Boy, 31, a resident of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
Abrahano said Kuya Boy was arrested Thursday, August 6, during a checkpoint operation in Taguitic village, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
Abrahano said Kuya Boy failed to present the Certificate of Registration of the vehicle he was when flagged down for inspection while en route to Cagayan de Oro City coming from Zamboanga del Sur.
During the inspection, Kuya Boy admitted that he was transporting sacks containing alleged mineral ores and voluntarily opened the cargo compartment in the presence of village officials and a policeman deputized by the Mines and Geo-Science Bureau.
The personnel manning the checkpoint discovered 530 sacks of alleged mineral ores, with an estimated value of P2,650,000.
Initial investigation showed the suspect claimed that he was merely hired as the driver and was instructed to pick up the truck in Zamboanga del Sur and transport it to Cagayan de Oro City.
Abrahano said they are still conducting further investigation to determine the exact origin of the mineral ores and identify their owner.
The driver was immediately arrested for violating Section 53 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. (SunStar Zamboanga)