CIDG arrests five for illegal quarrying in Negros Oriental

On Friday, February 21, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested five individuals suspected of illegal quarrying activities in Barangay Isugan, Bacong, Negros Oriental.

The seven-hour raid from 4:40 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. led to the seizure of three dump trucks loaded with sand and boulder minerals as well as mining tools and equipment worth P1.3 million.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III stated that the suspects were operating without necessary permits from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and other authorities, a violation of the Philippine Mining Act.

The arrested individuals, identified only by their first names as Segundino, Elizar, Armando, Romel, and Reymart—all residents of Negros Oriental province—will face charges under Section 103 of Republic Act 7942 for theft of minerals.

Torre emphasized the importance of reporting illegal activities like mining, quarrying, and logging to protect the environment and natural resources.