Recently, an illegal mining case was uncovered in Davao de Oro Province, Philippines, with suspects believed to be linked to previous offshore gaming operations (POGO) cases. The National Bureau of Investigation's Southeast Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-Semro) in collaboration with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau's Davao regional office, conducted a joint law enforcement operation on September 12, successfully investigating two illegal mining sites.
Law Enforcement Action and On-Site Seizures
On September 12, Philippine law enforcement agencies conducted a surprise inspection at two mining sites in Barangay Basiawan, Maragusan City, Davao de Oro Province. The operation was supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Police, with seizures at the site including underground tunnels, protective shelters, large mining equipment, multiple bags of copper ore, and explosives. The explosives included ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) and detonators among other hazardous materials.
Background Investigation of Suspects
According to NBI-Semro spokesperson Ely Leano, intelligence indicates that the suspects are Chinese nationals previously arrested in POGO cases. These individuals did not leave the Philippines after the POGO industry was banned, instead moving to the Davao region to engage in illegal mining activities. Law enforcement is currently preparing to file multiple lawsuits against the suspects, including illegal possession of explosives and violations of environmental laws.
Case Background and Trend Analysis
This case reflects a current trend in the Philippines: since the Marcos administration's complete ban on POGO operations by the end of 2024, some foreign workers have shifted to other illegal industries. Data from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration shows that over 11,000 foreign nationals have been listed for deportation, yet some groups remain in the Philippines and continue to engage in illegal activities.
Official Response and Law Enforcement Recommendations
Leano noted that such cases indicate the need for continuous and coordinated law enforcement actions. He warned that without effective regulation, criminal groups might "shift from one illegal activity to another." Officials call for public vigilance to jointly address the evolving organized crime threats in the Mindanao region.
Follow-up Handling and Legal Procedures
The case is currently under further investigation, and law enforcement will prosecute the suspects in accordance with Philippine laws and regulations. This joint operation demonstrates the Philippine law enforcement's capability to tackle various types of illegal activities and the ability for multi-departmental collaboration.
