(Senior Inspector Jonathan Bardaje inspects tools and excavation equipment used for illegal mining operation. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando)
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – The Zambales police arrested four Japanese nationals and 13 Filipinos found engaged in mining operations at Capones Island, Barangay Pundakit of this town.
Senior Inspector Jonathan C. Bardaje, San Antonio police chief, identified the foreigners as Domyo Ukari, 56, native of Kagoshima, Japan; Shinchi Kawano, 44, native of Kanagawa, Japan; Morie Eizo, 60, native of Tokyo, Japan – all residing in Legaspi Village, Makati City; a 15-year-old Japanese national presently residing in Barangay Rabanes, San Marcelino, Zambales and native of Kawagoe Shi, Saitama, Japan.
Their Filipino cohorts were Lloyd Marlo Cerezo y Lucero, Arnold Argel y Rosal, Rexy Maycong y Bisarra, Rodrigo Castro y Dela Peña, Luis Cerezo y Medegorin, Lymar Cerezo y Lucero, Reggie Maycong y Bessara, Noel Flores y Anal, Jason Ebalane y Baniel, all of legal age and residents of Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales; Gregorio Domingo y Villegas and Effer Tolentino y Villegas, both of Barangay Balaybay Castillejos, Zambales; Espiridon Gumacao y Balogo, of Barangay Barretto, and Ronald Gonzales y Andaya, of Barangay Sta Rita, both in Olongapo City.
The suspects were caught in the act of digging at the west side of the Capones Island some 120 meters away from the lighthouse.
Recovered from them were one units each of compressor set, generator set, metal detector, grinder, edger, jack hammer, hand saw, sprayer, sonar metal detector, pike, rake, and a tool box; two exhaust fans, two shovels, assorted ropes, and 18 pieces of GI steel pipes used for scaff oldings.
Capones Island per Municipal Ordinance No. 12-056 was declared as Marine Protected Area.
