BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The provincial government of Cagayan has ordered its police force to intensify its watch of the province’s coastline following the apprehension of eight Chinese nationals who were caught allegedly extracting minerals in the northeastern town of Gonzaga Thursday.
Police identified the foreigners as Faneng You, Yuangcuan Dong, Jurry Tagnia, Hanzi Pong, Daiyen Nie, Ziaong Han, Anguo Tian and Zhizhong Wang.
They were reportedly caught red-handed by joint elements from the Gonzaga police force and regional intelligence division of the Philippine National Police (PNP) while mining magnetite or “black sand" along the coast of Batangan village in Gonzaga.
The eight were released after a thorough inspection of their documents showed that they are legal aliens and that their activities are covered with a permit that allows them to engage in such activities.
A suspension order against mining operations in Cagayan was issued last year by then environment secretary Joselito Atienza.
Asked by GMANews.TV how the foreigners were able to secure permits to mine magnetite minerals in Gonzaga despite Atienza’s cease and desist order (CDO), the regional head of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said Atienza’s CDO covered only the town of Buguey.
Director Mario Ancheta of the MGB explained that CDO’s to other areas, which include Lallo and Gonzaga, were released from the office of Governor Alvaro Antonio.
Joseph Pauig, provincial legal consultant confirmed to GMANews.TV that Antonio has issued temporary permits to several areas but those are for quarrying activities only of materials to be used in the construction of Lallo Airport.
“We have suspended mining activities. I am not sure if Secretary Atienza’s order covers the whole province but I think the (cease and desist) order for Gonzaga was only overlooked that’s why it was not implemented but we have already requested the police to be on alert for illegal extractors along our coast line," Pauig said.
Pauig added that the provincial government did allow some companies to transport stocked piles of previously mined black sand, but they were no longer authorized to extract.
The latest apprehension came after six Chinese were caught on July 22 while allegedly quarrying for minerals along the Cagayan River in Lallo town.
The six who were reportedly carrying only visitor’s visa, were slapped with charges for violation of Republic Act 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995 but were released from government custody after they were allowed to post a bail of P25,000 each.
They were identified as Lin Derong, Lin Jianxin, Lin Qingmu, Lin Wende, Lin Zhenbing, and Lin Zhenquo.
Controversies hound the black sand rich province of Cagayan after anti-mining advocates have demonstrated strong opposition over mining operations saying that even as the provincial government claimed it has issued a ban on mining, there still exist magnetite extractions in some of the province’s coastline.
Black sand is 70 percent magnetite, it is prized by newly industrialized countries for its additives used in the production of high strength concrete and steel for building foundations and for making magnets, also for paint, ink, paper, jewelry and cosmetics.—Floro C. Taguinod/JV
