Camarines Sur mayor charged over quarry operations

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental advocates have filed charges against a municipal mayor in Camarines Sur and other local officials in connection with alleged illegal quarry operations.

In a complaint filed recently before the Office of the Ombudsman, the Sagip Kalikasan Task Force Office accused Mayor Fermin Mabulo of San Fernando town of violating Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act.

Aside from Mabulo, charged were barangay captains Edelito Aborde, Julian Coros Jr., Jobert Lumabao, Larry Mateo and Enopre Metillo.

The complainants – represented by Nimuel Azuela, Richie Bolaños and Emmanuel Bustarga – said quarrying in Barangay Grijalvo and other villages persisted despite the issuance of two cease and desist orders against illegal extraction of earth filling materials.

The respondents were accused of neglect of duty for failing to stop illegal quarrying activities in their jurisdictions.

An order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in April 2021 stopped any form of illegal mining and quarrying in the villages of Alianza, Bocal, Grijalvo and Pipian, the complainants pointed out.

They said at least three dump trucks, each loaded with earth filling materials, were apprehended by the Camarines Sur Sagip Kalikasan Task Force in August 2022.

“The respondents cannot feign ignorance on the proliferation of illegal quarrying activities in their localities as this problem has consistently been raised and discussed during regular sessions of the Sangguniang Bayan since 2021,” the complaint stated.