Cagayan de oro: Seven Chinese nationals were apprehended in Cagayan de Oro City on July 23 for allegedly violating multiple environmental laws, including the Philippine Mining Act, as reported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

According to Philippines News Agency, the arrests occurred during an environmental law enforcement operation in Barangay Tuburan, Cagayan de Oro City. Authorities seized equipment valued at PHP18.9 million, including two hydraulic excavators, a separator, a unit wheel loader, two rolls of carpet/matting, two water pump sets, and one sack of washed sand.

Charges are being prepared against the individuals for violating Republic Act 7942, the Philippine Mining Act of 1995; Presidential Decree (PD) 705, known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines; and PD 1067, the Water Code of the Philippines. The suspects are currently in the custody of the Misamis Oriental Maritime Police.

The confiscated hydraulic excavators and wheel loader have been handed over to the local government unit of Tuburan, Cagayan de Oro City for safekeeping. Other recovered evidence is under the custody of the Misamis Oriental Maritime Police, in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 10 (Northern Mindanao).

DENR-10 Executive Director Henry Adornado has called on the public to actively participate in environmental protection by reporting any suspicious activities in their areas. The operation was a joint effort by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Maritime Unit, Misamis Oriental Maritime Police, Opol Municipal Police, PNP - Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and DENR-10 through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Initao.