Mabalacat City—Government agents arrested 12 persons following a raid on an illegal quarrying operation at Barangay Sapang Balen here Wednesday.
The suspects were identified as John Patrick Reyes, Jhun Murillo, Egilberto San Pascual, Ronald Linsangan, Edcel Ruiz, Vincent Canlas, Eldren Anson, Jomar Nazar, Christopher Moreno, Joel Ong, Francis Pangilinan and John Michael Matias, all residents of the village.
National Bureau of Investigation – Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) in Manila raided the quarrying site after it received complaints from concerned citizens in this city regarding the presence of illegal quarry operations by a group of individuals who allowed the extractions of sands and lahar without the necessary permit from the local government unit.
The group leader identified as Virgilio Gamez was not around during the raid.
NBI-EnCD conducted surveillance operations week before the raid. Operatives also checked with the LGU if the quarry operations of Gamez has the permit.
“Surveillance operations revealed the unrelenting extraction of sands and lahar materials in the areas,” said NBI-EnCD in a statement.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau 3, Environmental Management Bureau 3, and the Pampanga Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office has no records of Gamez quarrying operations.
“Gamez is not a holder of any permit from the LGU and concerned government agency to extract and haul sands and lahar materials,” NBI-EnCD added.
The suspects were brought to NBI-Manila headquarters for further investigation as appropriate charges are being readied against them.