Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

Opol mayor lauds raid vs illegal miners

  • Erwin Mascariñas

-

  • March 1, 2012
Share this story

OPOL, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews/29 February) – Mayor Dexter B. Yasay lauded the raid against illegal miners operating along the Iponan River of this town last Tuesday, saying the drive will be even more fruitful now that his undermanned police force has been backed by soldiers.

He said that Tuesday’s raid, which resulted in the confiscation of 15 diesel-powered hydraulic pumps, put out of commission more illegal mining operations than the raids in the two previous years combined.

Yasay said 9 of the 15 confiscated hydraulic pumps came from Sitio Inapasan, while the remaining 6 were from Sitio Araw-araw, both part of Barangay Bagokbok of this municipality.

The mayor said he was glad that the campaign against illegal miners, which came over two months after Typhoon Sendong claimed over a thousand lives in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, has now caught the attention of the Provincial Peace and Order Council headed Vice Gov. Norris Babiera, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the regional and provincial police force and the Philippine Army.

Aside from the heavy rainfall, environmentalists have blamed the killer flashfloods on December 16 and 17 to mining and logging operations in the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and neighboring areas.

During the raid, the undermanned Opol police force composed of only 16 troopers was supported by 26 personnel from the police’s Regional Public Safety Battalion, 21 from the Provincial Public Safety Battalion and 32 heavily armed soldiers from the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division based in neighboring Cagayan de Oro City.

“We are not letting up in our anti-illegal mining operations and we’ve been doing it since 2009. I know that our drive will affect several individuals, even people I know, but we will move forward with our commitment,” said Yasay.

Yasay pointed out that raids in previous years had been not been this effective since the municipality lacked manpower. Besides, the road going to the mining areas were not accessible then, he added.

“This time, with the manpower and support given to us, the operations outcome was bigger compared to that of the previous years. With this renewed support and commitment from other agencies, I’m sure our campaign will be fruitful this year,” he said.

Chief Inspector Rogelio Labor, station commander of the Opol police force, also noted that the confiscated hydraulic pumps are now bigger compared to the ones used by miners in previous years.

“These illegal operations are getting bigger and much more sophisticated. They are now using engines we’ve never seen during our previous raids,” he said.

This reporter noticed the same observation during a raid back in 2010, when the hydraulic pumps seized were much smaller and less powerful. (Erwin Mascariñas / MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

Davao councilor alarmed over surge in dengue cases, deaths

Miah Christine Bontilao September 27, 2023 6:56 pm

BARMM police to deploy 1,000 personnel in Lanao Sur for election duties

Ferdinandh B. Cabrera September 27, 2023 5:36 pm

FACT CHECK:  General Santos City is not part of Sarangani as TV5 game show says

Fact Check September 26, 2023 4:27 pm

Davao councilor seeks regulation of plastic grocery bags

Antonio L. Colina IV September 26, 2023 3:53 pm

Hydroponic farming at Iligan high school yields first lettuce harvest

Marivic Omandam Davis September 26, 2023 1:43 pm

MINDAVIEWS

TURNING POINT: The Toothless Price Cap

William R. Adan September 19, 2023 10:39 am

UNDERSTANDING OUR HERITAGE (2): The Hindu-Buddist influences in our culture

Greg Hontiveros September 17, 2023 4:21 pm

TAUSUG IN DOHA: Always opt for the Best

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano September 17, 2023 2:52 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy