Zamboanga Sibugay governor warns of fake mining permits

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The provincial government of Zamboanga Sibugay has warned against the proliferation of falsified mining permits, following the interception of an illegal mineral shipment bearing the forged signature of Governor Dulce Ann Hofer.

In an advisory on Tuesday, the provincial government clarified that consistent with existing regulatory frameworks on mineral transport, Hofer “has not issued and will not issue” any Ore Transport Permit (OTP) or Mineral Ore Export Permit (MOEP) to any individual, group, or commercial entity.

READ: Zamboanga del Sur gov cracks down on illegal mining

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“Any individual, group, instrumentality, or company possessing, using, and/or claiming to operate under an OTP or MOEP allegedly issued by the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is hereby considered unauthorized and shall be subject to investigation and appropriate legal action,” the statement read.

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The Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government urged citizens to immediately report suspicious mining transport activities.

The provincial warning came on the heels of a joint inter-agency operation on Sunday, September 28, at Pulawan Port in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, where authorities arrested 52-year-old truck driver Ramil Tolibas after he presented a fraudulent OTP permit bearing Hofer’s falsified signature.

At around 1:00 p.m. Sunday, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Maritime Police, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) intercepted the wing van, with plate number AAV-4007 and owned by “UCHO,” driven by Tolibas.

Engr. Grant Rey Prenala, of MGB-13), confirmed that the presented OTP was fake and carried a forged signature of Hofer. 

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He said only the MGB can issue mineral transport permits and not local government executive offices.

The wing van yielded 505 sacks of suspected high-grade mineral ores.

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Tolibas admitted during questioning that the cargo was loaded in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, and was bound for Cebu City. The falsified permit listed FILI Dragons Mineral Trading, an enterprise based in Mandaue City, as the supposed owner of the shipment.

Following the seizure, Zamboanga del Norte Governor Darel Dexter Uy ordered intensified surveillance against illegal mining operations across the province to enforce environmental laws and protect local natural resources. /jpv