The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seize P1.8 million worth of minerals after uncovering an illegal quarry operation in Tarlac City. Photo from the NBI’s Facebook Page.
MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Friday that agents seized P1.8 million worth of minerals after uncovering an illegal quarry operation in Tarlac City, adding that they were able to arrest seven suspects.
According to the NBI’s statement, the NBI-Environmental Crime Division (EnCD) conducted a series of surveillance operations on September 2 and 19 that confirmed the presence of the illegal quarry.
The NBI verified that no quarry permits were issued by the local government unit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region III.
On October 3, NBI agents, with assistance from the DENR, then seized P1.8 million worth of minerals from the illegal quarry operation, adding that they were able to arrest seven suspects.
The NBI said that they also discovered delivery receipts of the aggregates delivered to the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Gapan, and Pampanga.
The suspects include Barangay Captain Albert Mercado, Barangay Councilor Arturo Dela Cruz, and their helpers who were sighted in the premises, including Joel Santos, Jesus Santos, Jessie Santos, Jonathan Santos and Jerry Espinosa.
“The arrested individuals were presented for inquest proceeding on October 4, 2022, at the Tarlac City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) of RA 7942, otherwise known as the ‘Philippine Mining Act of 1995’,” said the NBI.