MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate if illegal mining activities had triggered landslides in some parts of the country during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
In a briefing in Cagayan, which experienced massive flooding following the typhoon, Duterte said widespread mining in the area could have loosened the soil, increasing the chances of landslides.
“I will direct here Secretary Cimatu to look into illegal mining,” he said.
“Kapag maraming butas, maraming tubig na pumapasok sa loob ng lupa. That’s why, kapag ano, landslide. It loosens the soil, so kaya ang mining, maraming butas, ‘yan ang i-control mo,” Duterte added.
At least 10 individuals have reportedly died due to landslides during the typhoon, Cimatu said.
He also pointed out that the areas identified as hazard-prone are the ones where landslides and flooding happened.
“So illegal mining itong mga lugar na namatay so we have filed cases already and cease and desist order for these people. So ito na-address na natin,” Cimatu said.