By Michelle Ducut
The presence of 11 Chinese nationals apprehended at a mining site in Paracale, Camarines Norte, is raising significant national security concerns, according to Governor Ricarte Padilla. In an interview with Bicol Mail on Tuesday, Padilla asserted that the foreigners’ activities appear to go beyond gold mining, suggesting they may be engaging in “pseudo-business” operations with potential risks to national security.
The arrest followed intelligence reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) indicating unauthorized foreign activity at a mining facility owned by Councilor Amelia Oco. Padilla explained that AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) units investigated the site and discovered machinery installed without appropriate permits. “This is not just about mining for gold—it has significant national security implications,” Padilla emphasized, noting that the individuals had been residing in Camarines Norte for over six months.
The incident underscores rising concerns over foreign nationals conducting potentially sensitive operations in rural areas, which have previously led to government intervention. Padilla referenced similar cases in Tarlac and Zamboanga involving Chinese nationals operating in mining zones, noting a pattern of activity that has drawn the attention of both local and national authorities.
Further intensifying security concerns, officials discovered a high-powered 44-foot speedboat with new engines and Chinese product waste onboard near Camarines Norte waters. Governor Padilla, who also chairs the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC), highlighted the region’s strategic location near the Benham Rise, an area of interest for both local and international entities.
Padilla urged vigilance in monitoring the Pacific coastline, including the waters near Catanduanes and Rapu-Rapu in Albay, where vessel sightings have been reported. The proximity to Benham Rise—a rich maritime resource within the Philippine territory—underscores the importance of stringent oversight, he added.
The detained Chinese nationals, identified by local authorities, were arrested on October 13 in Barangay Tugos, Paracale, a known gold-rich area. The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that none of the foreigners possessed valid work visas or proper documentation.
The AFP, PNP, Bureau of Immigration, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) are currently overseeing the investigation. Meanwhile, Padilla stressed the need for transparency and caution as authorities work to determine the full scope of activities at Councilor Oco’s site, noting that this discovery might only be “the tip of the iceberg.”