Rocks intercepted in Pontevedra contains copper ores—MGB
ROXAS CITY—The truck load of rocks intercepted by the Pontevedra police at Brgy. Bailan last November 5 contains copper ores according to the Geo-Science Division, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-6).
A two-page document furnished to The News Today (TNT) revealed that rocks samples from three boxes contain the following visible copper ores:
Box 1–majority is malachite and small amounts of chalcopyrite and azurite; box 2–majority is malachite, chalcopyrite and azurite and small amount of bornite and box 3–majority is malachite and chalcopyrite and small amounts of bornite.
The three boxes, which contains 2.0 kilograms each, were submitted by Engr. Edgar Agana, OIC provincial engineer and OIC-Mines and Geo-Science Development Service Unit
The said findings of MGB-6 was signed by Leo Van V. Juguan, OIC-regional director.
Agana told TNT that his office will file administrative fine without prejudice for the filing of criminal charges against the owner of the truck load who illegally transported the said rocks.
Inspector Rommel Entereso, police chief of Pontevedra police station, said that the mineral was said to be extracted from illegal mining in Barangay Canapian, Maayon, Capiz.
He said that the truck is owned by Nilo Diaz of Maayon while the truck is still impounded at the Pontevedra police station pending investigation.
The police chief said copper was put inside the sacks of cement and covered by soil (buga) as it appeared that it was ordinary soil when it passed at Pontevedra, Capiz.
Later on, Mr. Roger Villanueva came out and claimed that he is the owner of the rocks which he allegedly bought from Maayon to be used as land fill to his lot at the subdivision.
According to him, he purchased the rocks at P1.00 per kilo from the farmers and that he has no knowledge whether it contains mineral adding that he has permit from the barangay secretary of Brgy. Canapian, Maayon, Capiz.
On the other hand, Mr. Gene Divino, who earlier said to be the contractor of the rocks, denied his involvement on the illegal transport saying that he was the care taker of the truck owned by Diaz.
