6 people involved in illegal sale of cave resources held by NBI

Six people allegedly involved in the illegal sale of stalactites and stalagmites to collectors have been arrested, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported Tuesday.

NBI Director and lawyer Magtanggol Gatdula said the arrests, made last week in an entrapment operation, also led to the recovery of the natural cave formations worth millions.

Stalactites and stalagmites are natural mineral formations that protrude from the ceiling or rise from the floors of a limestone cave. The cave resources take centuries to form making them valuable to collectors.

Gatdula identified the suspects as Andres Concha, 36; Valeriano Tuliao Jr., 26; Normita Mabagos, 52; Harry Santiago, 27; Susan Valle, 47; and Pedro Valle Jr., 52, who were arrested on August 19 at a street corner in Sampaloc, Manila.

Gatdula said that Concha and Tuliao allegedly acted as harvesters of the stalactites and stalagmites from Canlao Cave in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, while their four suspected cohorts allegedly participated as brokers for their sale.

Members of the NBI Counter-Intelligence Division recovered at least 19 pieces of stalactites and stalagmites and at least three pieces of black minerals called “black stones.” Each piece of the cave resources, the NBI director disclosed, is estimated to be worth P200,000.

But, he pointed out, their sale in the black market would fetch millions of pesos because they are centuries-old.

NBI-CID head agent and lawyer Dave Segunial explained that before the six suspects were arrested, his unit received a tip from an informant on a group of persons allegedly engaged in the illegal sale of stalactites and stalagmites.

The informant, he said, revealed that the group had been harvesting the valuable cave formations from sites in Cagayan Province without permit from the environment and natural resources department.

Segunial said that as soon as the information was confirmed, a poseur-buyer arranged for the purchase of P500,000 worth of stalactites and stalagmites at the corner of España Boulevard and Kundiman Street in Sampaloc.

The suspects are in NBI custody and have been charged with violation of Republic Act 9072.