BANGUED, Abra – Three persons were arrested by combined police operatives and intelligence agents after they were caught red-handed allegedly illegally transporting mineral ore in a police checkpoint at Nangaycayan, Zone VII, here, Sunday noon.
Senior Superintendent Antonio Bartolome, provincial director of the Abra Provincial Police Office, identified the arrested individuals as Elmer Babas Rebudal, 20, single, driver and a resident of Reyna Mercedes, Isabela, Joey Perez Garcia, 46, married, helper and a resident of barangay San Jose, Concepcion, Tarlac and Rogene Asonza Liquiran, 39, single, helper and a resident of 4266 Diam Street, Valenzuela City.
Initial police investigation showed concerned citizens informed police operatives that the suspects who were on board a 14-wheeler truck were about to transport mineral ore from Licuan-Baay up to the capital town.
Upon receipt of the information, combined police and environment officials were required to establish a checkpoint that resulted to the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of some 500 sacks of mineral ore.
The suspects and the seized pieces of evidence were immediately brought to the Bangued Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate charges against them, particularly violations of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7076 or the Small-Scale Mining Act., against them.
By Dexter A. See