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One truck loaded with 0.5 cubic meter of undocumented sand in Barangay Soludpan, Bacong, Negros Oriental was intercepted by joint operating team of DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Dumeguete City, Mines and Geosciences Bureau 7, Environmental Management Bureau 7 and PNP Bacong Police Station last Tuesday, September 4, 2019.
 
PENR Officer of Negros Oriental Nestor M. Canda said that the team conducted a surveillance monitoring in the area to verify reports of rampant illegal extraction of sand and gravel.
 
Based on the submitted incident report, the team caught on the spot three unidentified men extracting and loading sand to the Isuzu dump truck using shovels. Upon sensing their presence, the three managed to escape while a certain Manuel Sarita, 54, a resident of Brgy. Combado, Bacong, Negros Oriental who identifed himself as the driver of the dump truck was arrested by the team.
 
The truck driver failed to present the necessary authority to support the act of extraction and possession of sand which is a clear violation of Sections 103 of RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act. Canda added that further investigation will be conducted to identify the names of three unidentified suspects.
 
"MGB 7 is now conducting the necessary administrative proceedings for the filing of case in court against the violators. DENR PENRO Negros Oriental will continue to closely monitor all mining and quarry operations in the province," said PENRO Canda.
 
Prior to this, two mini dump trucks also loaded with sand and other extracting tools were also confiscated by the DENR CENRO enforcement team in Bacong, Negros Oriental last July 2, 2019.