Camarines Norte governor probed over illegal mining

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Tuesday ordered an investigation into allegations that the governor of Camarines Norte, Edgardo Tallado, was condoning illegal mining activities in the iron ore and gold-rich towns of Paracale and Jose Panganiban.

The probe stemmed from complaints reaching his department, the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about illegal mining in the province, which allegedly enjoyed Tallado’s “blessings,” he said in a statement.

“I have ordered the agents of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Office for Internal Security and the DILG Region 5 Director Blandino Maceda to investigate the case against Governor Tallado as soon as possible,” Robredo said.

“The complaints lodged against him by his constituents are serious enough to warrant an immediate investigation,” Robredo said.

In a June 18 letter, Rio G. Paliza, president of the Paracale chapter of the Junior Chamber International Philippines, complained to Robredo, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon about the “flagrant violation of environmental laws” by three mining companies operating in the town.

She said the operations of the Uni Dragon Mining and Development Corp., the Philippine Bao Tong Mining Corporation, and Liaoning Fenghua Group Philippine Mining Company Inc. had been inflicting much damage on the environment, particularly the Paracale shoreline.

The companies were issued Temporary Small-Scale Mining Permits by Tallado’s office, Paliza said.