Police, CENRO recover mining tools in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines — Operatives of the Bantayan Police Station, together with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), recovered alleged mining equipment that were abandoned in a secluded area in Barangay Sungko, Bantayan, Cebu Friday morning.

Bantayan Police Chief Florendo Fajardo said that among the recovered equipment are a silent generator, submersible water pump, water pipes, shovels, and steel bars.

Fajardo said that a concerned citizen called up their station Friday morning and reported the alleged mining operation in the area.

“Dali dayon ta nga nakig-coordinate sa CENRO og giadto ang area. Gitabunan ni og sako ang mga equipment while daghan na og mga bangag-bangag ang yuta,” said Fajardo.

During their investigation in the area, the police found out that the operation happened at night.

According to their informant that the operation stopped after May 14 elections.

“Naa tay mga nakita nga mga bato sa area nga murag gikan na sa ilawom nga lahi og color sa ordinaryo nga bato.  Wa ta kahibawo og unsa nga component sa minerals ang naa didto. Unahan ani pipila ka kilometro kay dagat na unya aduna pud kanipaan sa unahan,” Fajardo added.

The authorities however failed to arrest the operators of the recovered equipment.

Residents in the area described the operators as Tagalog-speaking individuals.

However, Fajardo believed that the person behind the alleged mining is a native of Bantayan since he has knowledge on whatever the area has.

“On my part matawag nga alarming kay ang Bantayan is protected sa wilderness.  How come nga naay nagmina?  Matingala ta nga naay gibilin didto nga mga in-ato nga equipment.  Mapasalamaton kita sa katawhan nga nagpakabana ilabi na sa katong pagdaut sa kinaiyahan,” Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, CENRO Assistant Protected Areas Superintendent Rosela Trigo told The FREEMAN that they will refer the recovered samples to their main office for a possible test to be conducted.

“Possibly ato ni ipa-test pero ato pa ni i-refer didto,” said Trigo in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

She said that there are at least eight holes found in the area and one is estimated to measure about two meters.

The recovered equipment are now under the custody of Bantayan police. — GAN (FREEMAN)