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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 22 May) – Eight Chinese nationals and three Filipinos were arrested for illegal mining in Pagadian City, the police reported Thursday.
But the group’s alleged boss remains at large.
Supt. Glenn Dulawan, Pagadian City police chief, said the group was arrested by combined elements of the police and the Provincial Environment Office on Monday at Labangan River in Barangay Lower Sibatang.
Dulawan identified the arrested Chinese nationals as Liu Gi Yi, 29; Chung Yong De, 27; Zhang Shu Kei, 24; Duan Guang Zong, 55; Lui Chang Yin, 50; Xiao Min, 36; Tang Zihan, 25; and a certain Dongdong, 39.
Dulawan said they learned that the group arrived in Pagadian last March. They are holders of passports and tourist visas.
The three Filipinos were identified as Jennilyn Ramirez, 25, the group’s chief cook; and backhoe operators Roy Damondamon and Jose Sabroso.
Dulawan said the arresting team confiscated two backhoes and several doormats being used to filter gold ores they extracted from Labangan River.
He said they have filed charges against the group on Wednesday before the City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Charged together with them is a certain Bersales, the boss who remains at large.