South Cotabato cracks down on illegal mining

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – South Cotabato Gov. Arturo Pingoy Jr. yesterday ordered a crackdown on illegal mining in his province to prevent the adverse effects of cutting of trees in areas where miners dig for gold.

In an executive order, Pingoy also warned that local officials found conniving with illegal miners would be prosecuted.

Pingoy said the excessive tunneling of miners in the towns of T’boli and Tampakan and in the hinterlands at the boundary of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat can cause landslides that can endanger the lives of villagers at the foot of mountains.

Pingoy also called on the police and the military to help enforce the provincial government’s anti-illegal mining thrust in gold-rush towns.