The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have arrested 24 individuals in a large scale illegal mining operation in Sitio Bugwak, Barangay Tingalan, Opol, Misamis Oriental, according to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort.

Authorities said the operation was carried out following a tip from a confidential informant.

Law enforcers caught the suspects in the act of conducting mining activities using heavy equipment without the necessary permits.

Among those arrested were two Chinese nationals who allegedly served as supervisors, and 22 Filipino nationals identified as machine operators.

30 sacks of suspected mineral ores valued at more than ₱30.8 million was seized from the site, along with two backhoes, two dump trucks, two trommel units, two generator sets, and six water pumps.

PAOCC Executive Director Benjamin Acorda Jr. described the illegal mining activity as a form of “economic sabotage,” stressing its serious impact on the country’s economy.

Acorda cited data showing that from 2012 to 2018, only 1.2 percent of gold produced by small-scale mining was sold to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), an alarming indicator of how illegal mining undermines legitimate national revenue.

The arrested suspects are now facing charges for "violations of mining and environmental laws," while further investigation is underway to identify other individuals possibly involved in the operation.