Police operatives in Laoag City seized some 100 sacks of “hot” pebbles loaded in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte through a south-bound truck.
The truck driver and his helper, both from Nueva Ecija, were arrested for failure to present any permit to transport the pebbles (sea stones).
The suspects alleged they went to Pasuquin town where they delivered a truckload of electric posts.
As they readied to return home southward via Manila road, “somebody” hired their truck and loaded it with the pebbles which would be dropped in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Pebbles are abundant at Caroan, Pasuquin where the local folks gather them at the shoreline as a source of livelihood.
When collected in bulk, the pebbles are sold for construction decors.
However, the gathering of the pebbles was regulated in recent years for the sake of ecological balance. (tri-media report)
