DENR chief Loyzaga says case buildup ongoing on Paracale illegal mining

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said Wednesday that case buildup is ongoing with regard to those involved in the alleged illegal mining operation in Paracale, Camarines Norte.

"Kini-case build-up po namin ngayon, together with other authorities, other agencies, 'no (We are doing case buildup now, together with other authorities, other agencies). This is a small-scale mining processing operation. So, as you know, in terms of the small-scale operations, there's a heavy local government and local community component," Loyzaga said at a Palace press briefing.

Loyzaga said she believes the presence of other foreigners is "a very great possibility" in illegal mining in the Philippines.

"As you know, I think it was last year, we also apprehended, together with authorities, an operation in the border of, I think, it was Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in the upland areas that had foreign workers also conducting, yes, illegal activities," Loyzaga said.

Authorities arrested 11 Chinese over the weekend for working in an illegal mining site in Paracale while having only tourist visas.

According to Dr. Winston Casio, spokesman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has closed off the area.

The arrested Chinese have already undergone inquest proceedings for immigration violations.

Earlier, Casio said the foreigners were recruited by the owner of the mining company. He said two of them were hired as business financiers, while the rest were hired as technical experts and workers for the mineral processing plant.

Paracale Mayor Romeo Moreno earlier said the mineral processing plant had not permit to operate.

However, Paracale Councilor Amelia Oco, the owner of the plant, said her business is mineral processing, not mining, and that she has a permit to operate.

Casio had said that, based on the technology used at the site, the foreigners may have been attempting to extract uranium. — VDV, GMA Integrated News