Authorities dismantled an illegal gold mining operation allegedly run by Chinese nationals in Sitio Mantigue, Barangay Poblacion 1, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, following months of surveillance and resident complaints. Engr. Larry Heradez, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Caraga XIII, said the November 8 joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), MGB, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led to the seizure of heavy equipment, mining tools, and the arrest of an undocumented Chinese operator. Several others escaped. The suspects used a flushing method to extract gold from riverbanks, sourced from mountains eroded by heavy rains. Authorities believe they are linked to four Chinese nationals arrested in Agusan del Sur in October for working without visas, part of President Marcos Jr.’s crackdown on foreign-led environmental harm. The illegal mining stripped vegetation, increasing erosion risks and natural resource destruction. The raid followed months of intelligence gathering based on resident reports. Criminal and administrative charges are being prepared, and confiscated machinery remains in government custody.
