CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 31 December) —– Two Army intelligence operations officers from Davao were linked to illegal mining operations in Misamis Oriental after they were arrested for escorting two pickup trucks laden with 60 sacks of gold ore worth ₱300,000 in Opol town on Monday.
Capt. Jhorlind Rico Apal, commander of the PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion, said in a report that they were manning a checkpoint in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Limonda in Opol when they intercepted the two pickup trucks — a JMC Grand Avenue with plate number ZAB 8446 and a Toyota Hilux with plate number MGH 811.
“Both pickups were loaded with alleged minerals transported from Barangay Limonda, Opol town, a known place for illegal mining activities,” Apal said.
He identified the two Army operatives as Staff Sergeant Norman Quilatan, 47, and Staff Sergeant Ernesto Warain Jr., 46, both of the Army Military Intelligence Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division, which is based in Mawab, Davao de Oro.
Apal said they seized from the two soldiers two Glock 17 Gen 4 pistols with magazines, the standard firearm for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since the time of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
Apal said seven companions of the soldiers, including the pickup drivers, were arrested.
In October 2025, a joint operation by the PNP and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 10 also confiscated two Isuzu trucks and two hydraulic excavators in Barangay Limonda.
MGB 10 Director Rodante Felina said they are investigating reports that the rampant gold mining operations in the area is being protected by local politicians in Misamis Oriental.
Police detained the two Army soldiers and their companions at the Opol town jail after cases for violating Section 53 of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) were filed against them. The section mandates “a permit specifying the origin and quantity of non-processed mineral ores or minerals” before these can be transported. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
