MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen people have been arrested for engaging in illegal quarry operations in Tanza, Cavite, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.
Agents of the NBI-Environmental Crime Division (EnCD) raided the quarry site on Tuesday and found 28 dump trucks, 21 backhoes and other heavy equipment in the area.
The NBI said the quarry operation has no permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Sixto Comia, chief of the NBI-EnCD, said the suspects claimed they were recently hired to work at the site.
Comia rejected the workers’claims, noting that six to eight hectares of the area have already been excavated.
“It means they have been working for over a year now,” Comia said.
He warned that continued excavation could cause landslides and loss of lives.
The suspects will be charged for violating the Philippine Mining Act, the NBI said.
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