Authorities arrested five people and seized illegal mining equipment worth around P3.5 million in the hinterlands of Barangays Limonda and Cauyunan in Opol, Misamis Oriental on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Police said four of the five suspects identified as alias “Shei-Shei,” 28; “Kriza,” 23; “Channie,” 21; and “Albert,” 20, were arrested while they were allegedly dismantling ball mill drums and other equipment.

Confiscated during the operation were two diesel engines; five ball mill drums; 12 ball mill rods; an axle with pulley; and three sacks of suspected minerals.

The operating team also discovered an alleged illegal excavation site in Barangay Cauyunan, which measures 15x30 square meters and has a depth of 10 feet.

Authorities arrested alias “Ibahi,” 36, while allegedly extracting minerals using water pumps and wooden strainer at the site.

The suspect’s companions and the operator of the backhoe escaped.

Seized from the site were a backhoe; two water pumps; a chainsaw; two crowbars; a wooden strainer with rubber matting hose; a plastic containing alleged gold flakes; and other paraphernalia worth around P3.5 million.

The items seized were turned over to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) while the individuals arrested were taken under police custody.

"This successful operation highlights our dedication to protecting our natural resources and ensuring that illegal activities do not prosper in Northern Mindanao," PRO-10 Director, Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, said.