A joint anti-illegal mining operation on August 2, 2025, in Barangay Nangcaon, Opol, Misamis Oriental, uncovered a large-scale illegal mining site reportedly linked to a sitting barangay official. Arrested at the scene was Gilbert D. Obsioma of Barangay Pigsag-an, Cagayan de Oro, who was caught operating a hydraulic excavator. Authorities seized several pieces of heavy equipment, including three hydraulic excavators, ten water pumps, multiple hoses, sluice mats, and sluice boxes, a wooden pan, and documents connected to the illegal extraction of materials from the Iponan River system. Drone footage revealed significant environmental degradation across the 4.88-hectare site. Obsioma now faces criminal charges for violating RA 7942 or The Philippine Mining Act and other environmental laws, while further investigation is underway to hold all involved accountable, including the barangay official allegedly behind the operation.
Shown below is a drone shot of the 4.88-hectare disturbed area with excavation depths averaging three meters, confirming the large-scale and sustained nature of the illegal activity and highlighting the severe environmental degradation of the river system.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region X (MGB-10), Environmental Management Bureau Region 10 (EMB-10), the National Bureau of Investigation–North Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-NEMRO), and the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Recovered and seized at the site were three hydraulic excavators, ten water pumps, multiple hoses, sluice mats, and sluice boxes, a wooden pan, and a sack containing receipts and transaction logs directly linking the operation to the sale of extracted materials.
The accused now faces criminal charges for theft of minerals under Section 103 of Republic Act No. 7942, and for violation of the Water Code of the Philippines. Further investigation is underway to ensure that all responsible parties, particularly those in positions of power, are held fully accountable.
info, photos by MGB Region 10
