Miner faces illegal possession of explosives charges

NAGA CITY (Aug. 27, 2011) - The owner of a mining firm that is allegedly operating illegally in the town of Lagonoy, Camarines shall face charges in court after a ton of explosives was confiscated in his possession.

According to Provincial Police Director Procopio Lipana, the Police Office of Lagonoy under Police Inspector Ariel Blanco is evaluating the case to determine what specific charges shall be slapped on Manuel Lee, owner of Prime Rock Mining corporation, and his companions who are Chinese nationals.

On August 26, a team led by Lagonoy Mayor Delfin Pilapil, Jr. and Police Chief Ariel Blanco raided a warehouse of the mining company and recovered a ton of dynamites. Possession of such explosives is deemed illegal because the Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB) Manila had earlier ordered the company to cease operation.

Mayor Pilapil was acting on the reports that despite MGB's prohibition, Prime Rock Mining continued to operate in barangay Himagtucon of the said town.]

In January this year, MGB had ordered Prime Rock Mining to suspend operation after a Chinese national died in an accident in its mining site.