24 nabbed for illegal mining in Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Authorities arrested 24 people, including two Chinese, for an illegal large-scale mining operation in Barangay Tingalan in Opol, Misamis Oriental on Sunday.

The joint task force from the Police Regional Office-10, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Opol town government seized equipment and mineral ores valued at P30.8 million.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the 24 would face charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.