Two Chinese nationals were arrested for illegal gold and ore mining operations and overstaying in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte.

The two were identified as Tao Zhang, 59, from the Shaanxi province in China, and Chenggong Zhang, 41, a native of Hubie, China. They were caught in the act of operating a gold and ore processing ball mill, according to a report by RH 19 Jun Dimacutac.

The municipal police station was tipped off by concerned citizens. The police, in turn, reported the Chinese nationals’ presence to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and requested a security escort from the Joint Task Force Zampelan of the 1st Infantry Tabak Division.

Upon the Chinese nationals’ arrest, it was found that they had been overstaying in the country. They were also unable to present proper documents authorizing their ore processing operations.

Authorities have also begun a probe into the Filipinos involved in permitting the suspects’ operations, which blatantly violate local environmental laws.

The suspects have been turned over to the BI, and it is expected that they will face the appropriate charges.