ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 25 -- A routine checkpoint for seat belt violations in Lanao del Norte led to the confiscation of some PHP5.3 million worth of mineral ores from three trucks, police said Monday.

A joint team of police and military personnel flagged down a truck along the highway for a visible violation of the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 around 8 a.m. Sunday. The driver, identified only as "Poldo," 47, of Valencia City, Bukidnon, was accompanied by his truck helper, 33, a resident of Malaybalay City, the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office (LDNPPO) said in a report.

Upon inspection, police found 546 sacks of alleged ore minerals with an estimated market value of PHP1.7 million. The driver failed to present legal transport docume...