DENR cracks down on illegal quarrying in Rizal; P133M equipment seized

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

ILLEGAL QUARRYING. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confiscates over PHP133 million worth of heavy equipment and materials during a crackdown on illegal quarrying in Barangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal on Jan. 20, 2026. The DENR on Thursday (Feb. 5) said it stopped the unauthorized quarrying activities at the Village East II Residential Subdivision Project and filed charges against company officers and equipment operators. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has seized over PHP133 million worth of equipment and materials following a crackdown on illegal quarrying in Barangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal.

In a news release Thursday, the DENR said the operation, carried out on Jan. 20, underscored the government’s strict stance against unauthorized mining and other environmental violations.

It said the operation was prompted by news reports in mid-2025 about illegal quarrying activities in Angono.

Subsequent monitoring and validation by the DENR confirmed the presence of unlawful quarrying activities that warranted immediate enforcement action.

It said that the targeted site is part of the Village East II Residential Subdivision Project.

“During the operation, enforcement personnel confirmed the existence of illegal mineral extraction activities and apprehended several individuals operating heavy equipment,” the DENR said.

It added that while the project holds several permits, surveillance operations conducted by the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Rizal Monitoring and Enforcement Section and the Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS) revealed unauthorized quarrying.

The operation of mobile crushers and the hauling of quarry materials to a nearby dumping area were also observed near the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) along the Taytay–Angono Road in Barangay Kalayaan, Angono.

“The MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) inventoried the equipment and materials at the site, which included heavy machinery, trucks, mobile crushers, and large volumes of stockpiled and processed aggregates. The seized equipment and materials valued at over PHP133 million have been secured under DENR custody within the project area,” the agency said.

Following the raid conducted by the DENR Region IV-A, PENRO Rizal, MGB, Environmental Management Bureau(EMB), ELEPS and NBI-Rizal, EMB Region 4-A (Calabarzon) issued a cease and desist order requiring the developers to halt all activities and submit compliance reports.

An inquest case was also filed against company officers and operators.

“The respondents face charges for violation of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which penalizes the unauthorized extraction and disposal of mineral resources,” the DENR said.