EARTH-2026-0024

Illegal gold mining raids in Barobo net arrests and heavy equipment

LandHigh urgency

Referred to authorities

Step 3 of 6 · reported 90 days ago

ReportedReported: reached
Under verificationUnder verification: reached
Referred to authoritiesReferred to authorities: reached
Action in progressAction in progress: not yet reached
ResolvedResolved: not yet reached
MonitoringMonitoring: not yet reached

The verified case and its evidence have been sent to the office that can act on it.

What was reported

On 27 June 2026 police with the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Monitoring and Information Assistance Center raided an illegal mining site in Barangay Bahi, Barobo, arresting three men aged 33, 34 and 45 from Tagbina who could not show mining permits. Police estimated the seized water pumps and backhoe at P5 million; a later report listed a Volvo backhoe, pumps, chainsaws, hoses and tools worth P7.1 million. The suspects face charges under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Barobo Mayor Ronnie Martizano said he was disgusted that the raid was mounted without coordinating with the municipality, which had allowed limited gold panning pending Minahang Bayan approval. Earlier, on 4 February, DENR Region XIII's enforcement division and 24 PNP Special Action Force personnel busted another site in Barangay Guinhalinan, arresting five people including two foreigners.

Evidence

3 files attached

This case is documented in public reporting. Every fact on this page comes from the sources below, which are kept against the case so the record can be checked.

3 'illegal miners' arrested in Surigao del Sur
SunStar · Jun 28, 2026
Illegal mining, an ambushed mayor, and a contested crackdown in Surigao del Sur
Mindanao Daily News · Jun 30, 2026
5 nabbed as illegal mining site busted in Barobo, Surigao del Sur
GMA News · Feb 9, 2026

The full history

Every change of state, timestamped, oldest first. Entries are added, never edited or removed, so the record of how long something took cannot be quietly improved later.

February 4, 2026Referred to authorities
Five suspects, including two foreigners, were arrested and three excavators and a pick-up seized at an illegal mining site in Barangay Guinhalinan.
Recorded by DENR Region XIII Enforcement Division and PNP-SAF
June 27, 2026Referred to authorities
Three men from Tagbina were arrested in Barangay Bahi and equipment estimated at P5 million was confiscated; charges under RA 7942 were filed.
Recorded by PNP, MGB and MIAC
June 30, 2026Under verification
Mayor Martizano criticised the lack of coordination and the municipal environment officer said authorities arrived before local officials were notified.
Recorded by Barobo municipal government

The measured result

Taken on a return visit after the work was done, not estimated on the day.

Equipment seized (27 June raid): P5 million police estimate; P7.1 million in a later report
Persons arrested: 3 on 27 June; 5 on 4 February

What was reported

The full history

Every change of state, timestamped, oldest first. Entries are added, never edited or removed, so the record of how long something took cannot be quietly improved later.

February 4, 2026Referred to authorities
Five suspects, including two foreigners, were arrested and three excavators and a pick-up seized at an illegal mining site in Barangay Guinhalinan.
Recorded by DENR Region XIII Enforcement Division and PNP-SAF
June 27, 2026Referred to authorities
Three men from Tagbina were arrested in Barangay Bahi and equipment estimated at P5 million was confiscated; charges under RA 7942 were filed.
Recorded by PNP, MGB and MIAC
June 30, 2026Under verification
Mayor Martizano criticised the lack of coordination and the municipal environment officer said authorities arrived before local officials were notified.
Recorded by Barobo municipal government

The measured result

Taken on a return visit after the work was done, not estimated on the day.

Equipment seized (27 June raid): P5 million police estimate; P7.1 million in a later report
Persons arrested: 3 on 27 June; 5 on 4 February