2 Chinese Nationals Arrested at Cebu Pier 4 — Accused of Transporting 47 Tons of Raw Copper Ore With Forged Permits

2 Chinese Nationals Arrested at Cebu Pier 4 — Accused of Transporting 47 Tons of Raw Copper Ore With Forged Permits

📌 At around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, two Chinese nationals (aged 55 and 45) were arrested at Pier 4 in Barangay Tejero, Cebu, on suspicion of trying to transport about 47 tons of raw copper ore using forged permits. According to the Daily Tribune, the ore is worth 1.5 million pesos.

■ What Happened
· Enforcement agents seized 47,040 kg of unprocessed raw copper ore loaded on 2 ten-wheeler wing van trucks.
· Authorities said the Ore Transport Permits the two men presented were found to be forged after verification with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 7 office.
· The 55-year-old man reportedly lives in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and the 45-year-old man in Makati City.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The operation was carried out at the request of the MGB Region 7 office by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Mandaue field unit and Region 7 unit, the Cebu Port Authority's port police, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and others.
· The legal basis is the Philippine Mining Act (Republic Act No. 7942), Section 53 of which requires a permit when transporting ore. The specific charges have not been reported, and the allegations are the authorities' claims.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· If you plan to get involved in transporting or trading minerals or ore in the Philippines, check for an MGB permit first. If the documents are fake, the person transporting the goods can also be punished.
· Foreigners who are arrested may also face action from the Bureau of Immigration, so avoid business proposals from unclear sources.

■ Source
Daily Tribune (10/29)

■ Photo
· Sacks of ore loaded on a truck at the pier and enforcement agents — Daily Tribune