Joint forces from the Atok Municipal Police Station under Maj. Gregorio Kiwalan, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Buguias, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera under Leonora Rivera confiscated 920 sacks of mineral ores from a two-week operation.
The ores were confiscated as they were being transported without permits.
On March 8, the team apprehended a truck carrying mineral ores, which was chanced upon Km. 22 Halsema Highway.
The truck was carrying 470 sacks of mineral ores. The driver, Mariel Piglay and his helper Leysam Ligutan were apprehended.
The suspects said they were instructed by the truck owner Franklin Yubos to deliver their cargo, declared as metal scraps to Shilan, La Trinidad.
On Feb. 28 at around 5:30 p.m., a truck was intercepted by members of the Atok MPS at Sayangan, Atok for transporting sacks of mineral ores without an Ore Transport Permit. Apprehended were Primo Malliao, Jr., the driver and his helper, Donong Wandas.
The apprehending team confiscated 450 sacks of mineral ores.
Violation of Sections 53 and 110 of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act were filed against those apprehended.
Results of the analysis done on the confiscated mineral ores showed a high content of gold and copper. – Press release
April 25, 2024
