In a joint checkpoint operation along Halsama Highway, Abatan, Buguias conducted by the PNP of Buguias headed by PCI Peter A. Dapliyan and Benguet PPSC, in coordination with DENR-CENRO-Buguias at around 8:40 AM of March 2, 2017, the team apprehended a 10-Wheeler Isuzu Truck for using an improvised license plate number. Upon further verification for an authorization from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the usage of such plate expired on December 1, 2015, hence a traffic violation citation ticket was issued to the driver.
However, after a short interview by the apprehending officers with the driver as to the load of the truck, the latter said that it was loaded with mineral ore allegedly from Sagada, Mtn. Province which they picked up at Sinto, Bauko, Mt,. Province.
It is at this point, that the government operatives asked for the necessary transport permit and other pertinent documents from the driver but nothing was presented so the driver, a certain Patrick Delmas Dati of Binga, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet and his helper, a certain Jen Boado Cabutotan, a native of Tubao, La Union. The conveyance truck is described as Isuzu Dropside Truck bearing Plate Number RKL-107, registered under the name of a certain Apollo D. Piluden.
On the same day, the incident was reported by PCI Dapliyan of PNP-Buguias to the CENR Officer Rabindranath P. Quilala of CENRO-Buguias and immediately was inspected and booked by the latter. An immediate coordination was done by CENRO Quilala with MGB-CAR personnel Alfredo Genetiano, the Mineral Operations Officer, resulting in the issuance of a Seizure Receipt and the custody of the 400 sacks suspected mineral ore including the truck.**
