ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police and environment authorities arrested eight Chinese nationals and their Filipino cook for illegal mining in a village in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur Tuesday night.
Police said the arrest came following surveillance conducted by the Local Environment and Natural Resources Office on the illegal mining activities in Barangay Lower Sibatang.
The arrested Chinese nationals were identified as Xiaomin, 36; Dongdong, 39; Tangzihan, 25; Liu Gi Yi, 29; Chung Yong De, 27; Zhang Shu Kei, 24; Duan Guang Zong, 55, all holding tourist visas; and Lui Chang Yin, 50. Their Filipino cook was identified as one Jennilyn Morado Ramirez.
Recovered during the operation were two backhoes and doormats that the suspects used for filtering, said Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, Region 9 police spokesman. – Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe