Christopher A. Templanza

30 NABBED IN JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL MINING OPERATION IN DAVAO DE ORO

The Philippine National Police (PNP), in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XI and other government units, arrested 30 individuals during a joint anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro on July 7.

Twenty-seven individuals were apprehended for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, following the discovery of an illegal mining operation in the area. Authorities recovered approximately 128 sacks of suspected gold ore, a fabricated blower, jackhammers, chainsaws, generator sets, an inverter generator, and an Isuzu ELF truck, with an estimated total value of about ₱5.54 million.

During the operation, one of the individuals serving as a portal guard was also found in possession of a caliber .45 pistol.

Later that evening, while authorities were conducting the inventory of the recovered items, operating personnel received information about armed individuals onboard a white pickup truck approaching the area. A follow-up police response led to the arrest of three additional suspects and the confiscation of three fi****ms, ammunition, and other items.

All arrested individuals are now under the custody of the CIDG Davao de Oro Provincial Field Unit for the filing of appropriate charges, while the recovered mineral ores and related equipment were turned over to the MGB Region XI.

The operation involved personnel from the CIDG Davao de Oro Provincial Field Unit, Pantukan Municipal Police Station, Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 11, Highway Patrol Group, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XI.

The successful operation is in line with the PNP Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which strengthens coordinated law enforcement efforts against illegal activities, while supporting the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country's natural resources and uphold environmental laws.

PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., commended the operating units for their teamwork and swift response.

"Ang operasyon na ito ay nagpapakita ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng ating mga law enforcement units at partner agencies sa pagpapatupad ng batas. Hindi lamang natin pinoprotektahan ang ating likas na yaman, kundi pinananatili rin natin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa mga komunidad. Patuloy nating isasagawa ang ganitong mga operasyon nang may propesyonalismo, paggalang sa karapatang pantao, at mahigpit na pagsunod sa due process," Gen. Nartatez said.

The PNP remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven and inter-agency operations against illegal activities as part of its commitment to Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.

(PNP-PIO)

PNP SEIZES NEARLY ₱6 MILLION WORTH OF SUSPECTED ILLICIT CI******ES IN CALOOCAN OPERATION

The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to strengthen its campaign against illegal activities affecting public safety and government revenues following the seizure of nearly ₱6 million worth of suspected illicit ci******es during a joint operation in Caloocan City.

In an operation conducted on July 7, 2026, personnel from the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Northern Police District (NPD), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue–Revenue District Office 5 carried out an inspection and enforcement activity at two establishments in Barangays 176-A and 178, Caloocan City.

The operation led to the recovery of 684 reams and 27 packs of assorted cigarette brands with an estimated market value of ₱5,972,519.18. The confiscated items were turned over to the BIR for safekeeping and proper disposition in accordance with existing procedures.

The PNP said the operation was conducted in line with its Focused Agenda, particularly under Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which emphasizes coordinated, intelligence-driven, and responsive law enforcement efforts to address emerging threats and protect the interests of the public.

Chief PNP Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the operating units for their continued vigilance and cooperation with partner agencies in enforcing the law.

“Ang ganitong mga operasyon ay patunay na mas nagiging epektibo ang ating mga hakbang kapag nagtutulungan ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa nasasabat na produkto, kundi sa pagpapatibay ng ating kampanya laban sa mga gawaing nakaaapekto sa ating ekonomiya at sa mga mamamayang sumusunod sa batas,” PGen Nartatez said.

The Chief PNP emphasized that the PNP will continue to support the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in ensuring accountable and effective public service through strengthened partnerships and lawful enforcement operations.

Under the leadership of PGen Nartatez, the PNP remains committed to delivering results through professional policing and public-centered operations as part of the “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)

32 YEARS ON THE RUN ENDS AS PNP NABS NATIONAL MOST WANTED WITH DILG REWARD

The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the command of Chief, PNP, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested a National Most Wanted Person during a manhunt operation on July 2, 2026, in Barangay Baybay Triunfo, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, ending more than three decades of evasion from justice.

Operatives of the CIDG Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Unit, with the assistance of other PNP operating units, arrested the male suspect, known only by the alias “Pete,” a Filipino of legal age and a resident of Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte. Listed as a National Most Wanted Person with a PhP 80,000.00 DILG monetary reward, he was served two Warrants of Arrest for Murder and Multiple Murder with Frustrated Murder, both issued by a Lanao del Norte court and carrying no bail recommended.

Investigation showed that on August 14, 1993, the accused and a co-accused allegedly opened fire on a residence in Tubod, Lanao del Norte using high-powered fi****ms. The attack claimed the lives of four individuals and left another victim seriously wounded. Authorities said the incident allegedly stemmed from a land dispute.

For more than 32 years, the accused remained in hiding, moving across Davao, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Marawi, and Misamis Occidental to evade arrest. Persistent intelligence gathering and sustained manhunt operations eventually led authorities to his location and successful arrest.

The accomplishment reflects the PNP Focused Agenda, a transformation framework designed to make police service more responsive, professional, and accountable to the public. It advances the key priority of Enhanced Managing Police Operations by sustaining intelligence-driven manhunt operations that ensure fugitives are brought before the courts, regardless of how long they evade justice.

Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. emphasized that the arrest underscores the PNP’s determination to pursue wanted persons without letup.

“No matter how much time has passed, the PNP will continue to track down fugitives and ensure that they answer for the crimes they are accused of before our courts,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

“Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi nahaharap sa batas ang mga umiiwas sa hustisya,” the PNP Chief added.

As the PNP intensifies its campaign against wanted persons and strengthens law enforcement efforts under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)