NBI nabs 6 cave bandits

MANILA, Philippines - Six persons engaged in the illegal collection and sale of cave resources, were recently arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents during a buy-bust operation in Manila.

In a report to NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula, NBI Counter Intelligence Division Head Agent Dave Segunial identified the suspects as cave resources collectors Andres Bulawan Concha, 36, and Valeriano Herrera Tuliao Jr., 26, both of Penablanca, Cagayan; and financiers/brokers Normita Bartolazo Mabagos, 52; Harry Borja Santiago, 27; Susan Balangcael Valle, 47; and Pedro Silhay Valle Jr., 52, all of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings before Manila Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencito Senedos with a recommendation that they be charged with violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 9072, which prohibits the “gathering, collecting, possessing, consuming, selling, bartering or exchanging or offering for sale, without authority, any cave resources.”

During their arrest, the suspects yielded 19 pieces of crystallized cave resources in various sizes and three pieces of black rock-like objects called “black stones.” The NBI said their collectors are illegally selling them for a measly sum of P500,000.

Geological experts from the National Museum sought by the NBI confirmed the stones are cave resources.

Prior to their apprehension, the NBI Counter Intelligence Division received information that a group of financiers and collectors of cave resources –mostly stalactites and stalagmites – are illegally selling the precious items at a very low cost.

The cave resources reportedly came from cave sites in Tuguegarao and other areas in Cagayan.