6 Chinese arrested for illegal mining in Cagayan

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – Six Chinese nationals were arrested for engaging in the illegal extraction of black sand in the northernmost mainland Cagayan province Thursday, reports showed.

Police identified the six arrested aliens as Lin Zhenquo, 45; Lin Qingmu, 26; Lin Jianxin, 38; Lin Zhenbing, 41; Lin Wende 50; and Lin Derong, 36; all residents of Yuchien, China, who were reportedly caught red-handed conducting the mining activities along the Cagayan River bank in Barangay Jurisdiction, Lal-lo town around 7 p.m.

Cagayan police director Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca said the Chinese were arrested by joint operatives from the provincial police office and the Lal-lo police station while in the act of extracting black sand from the said area.

Authorities also took possession of the miners’ boat, the Hay Lon 69, where around 100 cubic meters of magnetite ore were later discovered, aside from undisclosed amounts of unprocessed black sand.

The Chinese were said to be employees of the San You Phil Mining Trade Ltd., a legal entity operating in the Philippines, which also owned the said boat with magnetite.

“The Chinese are now in (our) custody. Their vessel is being guarded by our men while coordination is being conducted with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial government for the filing of appropriate charges,” Aplasca told The STAR.

A case for violation of Republic Act 7942, (Mining Act of 1995), against the Chinese has been referred to the provincial prosecutor’s office in Aparri town, docketed as NPS II-INQ-10F-00070, for possible filing before the court.

Authorities likewise said that one Florante Paat, San You’s corporate secretary, presented the passports and visas of said foreign nationals, who availed of their right of preliminary investigation and other legal actions with the assistance of their lawyer to show that they are working in the country legally.

The foreigners reportedly had been issued a permit by the provincial government to extract said minerals but this had already expired.

Black sand or magnetite mining, particularly being conducted along the province’s northern coast, has been the subject of controversy in the province with the provincial government having given its approval amid opposition from the Church and environmentalist groups.

The anti-mining advocates claimed that the continued mining activity poses great danger to the environment, including possible flashfloods in the area as well as its being hazardous to the health of local residents.