13/03/2026
PNP ARRESTS 4 IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL ILLEGAL QUARRYING; ₱12M VEHICLES, MATERIALS CONFISCATED
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., apprehended four individuals and seized vehicles and quarry materials valued at ₱12,000,000.00 during a crackdown on illegal quarrying in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on March 9, 2026.
The operation, led by the Task Force Kalikasan ug Kalinaw of Misamis Oriental in coordination with the Provincial Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (PLENRO) Misamis Oriental and the Laguindingan Municipal Police Station, resulted in the arrest of four male suspects identified by their aliases as “Nard,” “Rome,” “Arcos,” all from Bukidnon, and “Jo,” a resident of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.
Confiscated were three dump trucks loaded with sand and gravel and one backhoe used for quarrying operations, carrying 16 cubic meters of sand and gravel, another 16 cubic meters of sand and gravel, and one cubic meter of gravel, totaling ₱12,000,000.00.
The suspects are facing charges for violation of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 4014-2017, and the case has been forwarded to PLENRO Misamis Oriental for proper disposition and further legal action.
The PNP emphasized that this enforcement reflects the organization’s Focused Agenda—an operational framework designed to make police service more accountable and community-centered. In this case, the key priority of Enhanced Managing Police Operations guided authorities in sustaining proactive measures against environmental violations and unlawful quarrying activities.
PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said, “Illegal quarrying threatens both the environment and local livelihoods. The PNP is committed to ensuring that all violations are addressed decisively and lawfully.”
He added, "Yaman ng bawat Pilipino ang ating kalikasan. Hindi natin pahihintulutan ang sinumang lalabag sa batas at sisira sa ating kapaligiran."
As the PNP strengthens enforcement against environmental crimes and other illegal activities that endanger communities, under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
