Man arrested for illegal sand extraction in Asturias

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities arrested a 36-year-old man after he was allegedly found extracting sand without a permit along a riverbank in Barangay Santa Lucia, Asturias, at around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

The suspect was identified as Bernie Simbajon Perez, 36, a resident of Purok 7, Barangay Santa Lucia, Asturias.

Police launched the operation after receiving information from a concerned resident about suspected illegal sand extraction in the area.

Responding officers reportedly caught Perez using a shovel to extract sand from the riverbank and transfer it into sacks. Authorities estimated that around 20 sacks had already been filled when he was apprehended.

When asked to present documents authorizing the extraction, Perez allegedly failed to produce the required permit, prompting police to arrest him.

Investigators also learned that the extracted sand was allegedly being sold for P40 per sack. PCapt. Jessie Tañola, chief of the Asturias Municipal Police Station, said the illegally extracted sand was commonly sold to local hollow block makers.

Authorities further believe that Perez had been engaged in the activity for some time before his apprehension.

Police also noted that individuals involved in illegal sand extraction often resort to what they described as “guerrilla tactics” by operating only when monitoring teams from the police, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) were no longer in the area.

Perez is facing charges for the alleged violation of Section 103 of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which prohibits the unauthorized extraction or mining of mineral resources without the required legal authority or permit. (CEBU NEWS)