Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and the mayors of Negros Occidental yesterday signed a resolution addressed to President Benigno Aquino III vehemently opposing offshore mining for magnetite sand in the waters of Negros Occidental, EB Magalona Mayor David Lacson said.

They asked the President to direct the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau to stop accepting and processing all applications for exploration and offshore magnetite sand mining in Negros Occidental and to revoke permits already granted.

Lacson, who is president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Negros Occidental chapter, said the resolution was signed at a meeting of the mayors with the governor at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.

Sipalay Mayor Oscar Montilla said yesterday that Selenga Mining Corp. and Philex Mining Corp. have began exploration work in Sipalay City, and that the Maricalum Mining Corp. may resume operations soon.

The mining firms are eyeing the copper and gold deposits of Sipalay City, he said, adding that their operating in the city is welcomed by residents.

The mining firms in Sipalay City will provide jobs to about 5,000 people, and infuse the local economy and the city government’s coffers with billions of pesos, he said.

The Parohinog bank robbery group of Manila that had been reported to be planning to stage robberies in several banks in Bacolod City  instead robbed a bank in Cagayan De Oro City yesterday.

This was confirmed by Bacolod City Police Office Director, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, who said the group may have shifted  their plans from Bacolod as the police force, the banks and residents had been alerted.

A dozen motorcycle-riding armed robbers, believed to be members of the Parohinog group, hit the Banco de Oro branch at the corner of Ramon Chavez and Osmeña Streets in Cagayan de Oro at about 10 a.m. and took a still undetermined amount of cash.