OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 13 individuals, including four Chinese, for illegal mining activities in Agusan del Sur, the CIDG reported yesterday.
In a statement, the CIDG said the suspects were arrested at their respective residences in Barangay Libuac in Rosario town between 9 p.m. last Tuesday to 4 p.m. last Wednesday.
They were nabbed on the strength of warrants issued last August 13 by an Agusan del Sur court for violation of Section 103 (theft of minerals) of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
They were allegedly involved in the extraction of gold and other minerals without a necessary permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano commended the personnel involved in the successful operation.
“You did not just stop in the filing of the complaint, you coordinated with the Prosecution Service, waited patiently for the issuance of the arrest warrant, and captured the accused – all at once,” said Abrahano.
“It underscores your commitment to accounting and putting all wanted persons behind bars,” added Abrahano.
Abrahano assured the public that the CIDG remains steadfast “in enforcing the laws, and relentless in capturing all wanted persons, fugitives, and criminals nationwide.”
“The CIDG is dauntless, the CIDG means business,” he added.
In Parañaque City, CIDG operatives also arrested two Vietnamese nationals for the illegal practice of medicine last Monday.
The two were identified as Thao Anh, female, 31; and Dong Xuan, male, 29, who are now facing charges of violation of Republic Act 4224 or the Medical Act of 1959.
The CIDG said the two, who misrepresented themselves as medical doctors, “were caught while engaging in the practice of medicine – performing examinations, injecting substances, dispensing medicines, and conducting whitening treatment without authority or license from the Professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Medical Association.”
CIDG operatives seized from them assorted vials containing Clostridium botulinum, boxes of syringes with needles, tablets of Zinnat, Robmedril, capsules of assorted medicines, whitening creams, and equipment.
“With their apprehension, we significantly prevented the health risk and danger that may be caused by the illegal practice of medicine,” said Abrahano.
