The arrested foreigners were identified as Zhining Tang, Liao Nantu, Yichang Lin, Zhibin Xu, Jingwei Chen, Hongming Zhou, Wen Haihu, Yong Wang and Tang Peilong, all Chinese, and Indonesian Afrizon Hary. The NBI said the dredging and desilting operations lack necessary permits from government agencies. Some residents here also allege the dredging and desilting work is just a front and also being loaded is black sand or magnetic sand. The source added that there are simultaneous dredging and desilting operations ongoing in Bucao River by another company. A source at the DENR said local government units have jurisdiction on sanctioning sand and gravel operations.

Source: Manila Times May 23, 2017 14:03 UTC