Authorities seized 19 individuals, composed of 17 Filipinos and two South Korean nationals, after discovering two illegal quarrying operations in Pampanga.
The suspects were arrested in separate operations on February 7 at Barangay Dolores in Bacolor and Barangay Calsadang Bayu and Manibaug Pasig in Porac.
These operations were conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation Environment Crime Division (NBI-EnCD).
According to NBI, Sammi Vibro and the Marimla Plant were both conducting extraction of lahar-based minerals near Mega Dikes Rivers without proper gravel and sand permits from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
The South Korean nationals, Gi Man Lee and Jeong Sunmi, are operators of Sammi Vibro in Barangay Dolores in Bacolor.
Also apprehended in the said illegal quarrying site are John Paul Sumat, Jory Sabacan, Alberto Lingad, Joseph De Leon, Sandy Vosotros, Alex Basilio, Fernando Tomas, Tyron Manalo, Mark Glen Reyes, Rudy Libunao, Joey Madrona, Marcelino Bundoc and Lamix Abogan.
In Barangay Calsadang Bayu, on the other hand, workers of Marimla Plant are also arrested. Those taken into custody are Alfer Nueva, Rodolfo Pineda, Higinio Javate and Ener dela Cruz.
These violators of Sec. 103 (Theft of Minerals) under RA 7942 otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 are about to undergo inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice Task Force Environmental Laws.
