• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the authorities for their decisive action against illegal mining activities in Hinobaan, which led to the arrest of mine individuals and confiscation of about P17.5 million worth of equipment.
Among the nine suspects, one identified as “Xiong” is a Chinese national while the eight others are residents of Masbate, Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Davao Oriental.
They were caught in the act of extracting mineral resources from the area in Barangay Bacuyangan without lawful authority.
The joint operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region, Provincial Environment and Management Office, and. Hinobaan Municipal Police Station on Feb. 26.
In a statement over the weekend, Lacson said effective environmental governance requires decisive enforcement anchored on the rule of law.
He stressed that the province remains firm in its commitment to ensure that environmental laws are strictly implemented and that regulatory processes are upheld without exception.
“A mining permit is a privilege granted by the State, it is not a right,” he added.
The operation yielded heavy equipment, including two backhoes and three 10-wheeler dump trucks, vibrating screen machine, two boxes containing bottles of “mercury”, and an automatic generator set control panel.
In a separate statement, Hinobaan Mayor Daph Reliquias said the operation took place after he received complaints from farmers of illegal mining activities in the area.
He immediately coordinated with the Provincial Environment and Management Office and the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau for appropriate action. Reliquias said any extraction of natural resources without lawful permits, regulatory compliance, and environmental safeguards in Hinobaan is unacceptable.
“While properly regulated and lawful economic activities are recognized under national policy, operations that violate environmental laws and disregard government authority have no place in our municipality,” he added. | GB
