4 nabbed for illegal quarrying operations in San Ildefonso, Bulacan
Four individuals were arrested for illegal quarrying operations by members of the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Offices (BENRO), Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) and San Ildefonso Municipal Police Station in Brgy. Sapang Puitk, San Ildefonso on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
BENRO Head Attorney Julius Victor Degala identified the arrested suspects as Fernando Patac, 49, from Santa Maria; June Padilla, 45, from Marilao; Rogie Remetio, 39, and Ginglebert Verde, 46, both residents of San Ildefonso.
They were all apprehended for violation of Mineral Theft under
Section 103 of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act), Section 71-A of the Provincial Ordinance C-005 or the Environmental Code of the Province of Bulacan, and Executive Order No. 21 Series of 2022.
Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando appealed to Bulakenyos to put an end to illegal quarry activities in the province.
“Sa mga hindi sumusunod sa batas, maging handa na kayong harapin ang mga kaukulang parusa. Sa pamamagitan ng ating BENRO at kapulisan, sinisiguro ko ang mas mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas upang mapanagot ang mga lumalabag dito. Kaya naman hinihikayat ko ang bawat isa na maging mapanuri at magsumbong sa mga awtoridad kung may anumang kahina-hinalang gawain sa pag-quarry upang mawakasan ang ilegal na gawaing ito sa ating mahal na lalawigan,” (For those who do not obey the law, be prepared to face the corresponding penalties. Through our BENRO and the police, I am ensuring stricter enforcement of the law to hold those who violate it accountable. I encourage everyone to be vigilant and report to the authorities if there is any suspicious quarrying activity in your area so we can finally put an end to this illegal practice in our province)," the governor said.
Those arrested were taken to the PIU Office. Recovered from them were 150 pieces of chisel, five pieces of bend, four pieces of shovel, three pieces of sledgehammer, two pieces of digging bar, and one unit of water pump.