Home Tags Posts tagged with "Philippine National Police"
Tag:

Philippine National Police

News

​30 arrested, ₱5.5-M in gold ore and equipment seized in Davao de Oro illegal mining raid

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

AUTHORITIES arrested 30 individuals and seized an estimated ₱5.54 million worth of gold ore and equipment during a joint anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Araibo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro, on Tuesday, July 7.

​The crackdown was executed by a multi-agency task force led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI.

​Twenty-seven individuals were initially apprehended after authorities caught them in the act of operating an illegal mining site. The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

​According to official reports, law enforcement recovered:

  • ​128 sacks of suspected gold ore
  • ​Jackhammers, chainsaws, generator sets, an inverter generator, and a fabricated blower
  • ​One Isuzu ELF truck used for transport

​During the initial sweep, police also discovered that a portal guard at the site was illegally carrying a .45 caliber pistol.

​The operation continued later that evening when authorities flagged a white pick-up truck with armed individuals while they were conducting an inventory of the seized contraband. 

​A swift follow-up response by the police intercepted the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of three additional suspects. Authorities confiscated three more firearms and ammunition from the vehicle.

​All 30 suspects are currently held in custody at the CIDG-Davao de Oro office pending the filing of formal charges. The seized mineral ores and mining equipment have been turned over to MGB XI for proper disposition.

The operation was the result of inter-agency coordination by CIDG Davao de Oro, Pantukan Municipal Police Station, Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion XI, the Highway Patrol Group, and the MGB XI.

​PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. lauded the operation for their tactical precision and synergy.

​”Ang operasyon na ito ay nagpapakita ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng ating mga law enforcement units at partner agencies sa pagpapatupad ng batas,” Nartatez said in a statement. “Hindi lamang natin pinoprotektahan ang ating likas na yaman, kundi pinananatili rin natin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa mga komunidad.”

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Joint security forces torch ₱6-M marijuana plantation in Agusan del Sur hinterlands

by Contributor
written by Contributor

JOINT government security forces discovered and destroyed a marijuana plantation valued at an estimated ₱6 million during an interagency raid in the remote hinterlands of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, in Sitio Bunlak, Barangay Kasapa I, on Saturday, July 4.

The raid was executed by troops from the 60th Infantry Battalion—a subordinate unit of the 10th Infantry Division—working in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and multiple units of the Philippine National Police.

Over 23,000 cultivated plants destroyed on site

According to operational reports, the joint forces breached a hidden cultivation site spanning approximately 12,000 square meters. Inside the plantation, authorities discovered 23,431 fully grown marijuana plants.

To preserve the legal integrity of the operation, forensic technicians from the Agusan del Sur Provincial Forensic Unit extracted representative samples from the crops to serve as evidence for future laboratory examinations and legal proceedings.

Following chain-of-custody protocols, the remaining thousands of plants were immediately uprooted and incinerated on-site. The burning was conducted in the presence of required insulating witnesses to ensure complete transparency and proper official documentation.

Operational synergy crippling criminal exploitation

The joint task force included tactical elements from the Loreto Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and PDEA regional agents.

Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, highly commended the operational synergy that led to the plantation’s dismantling, noting that uprooting hidden agricultural drug sites protects remote communities from criminal exploitation.

“This successful operation demonstrates the strength of interagency cooperation in protecting our communities from illegal activities,” Luzon stated. “We will continue to support law enforcement efforts to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable.”

The 10ID reaffirmed its policy of sustained logistical and security support for local law enforcement, vowing to keep up pressure on both illegal drug production and insurgent remnants attempting to use remote border areas for illicit funding.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

PRO XI tightens school security across Davao Region to ensure safe learning environments 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE POLICE Regional Office (PRO ) XI has intensified visibility, patrol operations, and stakeholder coordination across the Davao Region to secure campuses following a recent wave of school violence nationwide.

The regional crackdown, led by PRO XI  director PBEN Leon Victor Z. Rosete, comes in direct response to the order of PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. mandating immediate, heightened security measures in educational institutions.

Under the directive, all provincial and city police offices throughout the region must significantly increase boots on the ground within school zones, particularly during high-traffic peak hours, including school openings, recess, and dismissals. 

Regular foot and mobile patrols will be deployed to deter criminal activity and provide rapid emergency response.

To fortify campus entry points, PRO XI units are actively collaborating with school administrators, local government units, and barangay officials. 

The joint effort focuses on conducting rigid perimeter inspections, supervising campus access, and establishing proactive security assistance protocols before daily classes begin.

Furthermore, regional police are encouraging school administrations to maximize the deployment of existing security equipment, such as handheld metal detectors and screening devices, to tighten gate checks and prevent the smuggling of prohibited weapons or dangerous contraband onto school grounds.

Rosete emphasized that keeping educational spaces safe requires an interconnected, multi-sectoral approach.

“The Philippine National Police will not tolerate violence in our schools,” Rosete said. “Through heightened police visibility, strengthened coordination with stakeholders, and proactive security measures, we aim to prevent incidents before they occur and ensure that our learners and educators remain safe.”

Rosete added that the intensified regional security drive reflects the police command’s institutional commitment to delivering rapid, transparent, and felt public service while safeguarding the welfare of the region’s youth.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Comelec ready for 1st BARMM polls 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has assured the public that all systems are a go for the historic, first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, officially scheduled for Sept. 14, 2026.

Speaking at a recent Orientation on the Bangsamoro Peace Process, Bangsamoro Electoral Code, and Media Safety held in Davao City, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that the poll body is fully equipped and prepared to handle the landmark regional elections.

To ensure the smooth execution of the polls, Comelec is expected to field a massive contingent of over 13,000 personnel. 

This figure excludes the separate, extensive deployment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The electoral exercise will serve a total of 2,393,202 registered voters spread across 108 component cities and municipalities.

Voting will take place in 1,186 designated voting centers, which are further broken down into 5,212 clustered precincts across 2,185 barangays.

Laudiangco emphasized that security timelines and personnel allocations are already being finalized on the ground.

“We are gearing up already,” Laudiangco said. “While we don’t have the exact security personnel numbers yet, as early as last month, we conducted a command conference specifically to map out deployments. Because the official election period begins on July 30, we are reminding the public that they will begin seeing checkpoints by that date. Additionally, the deployment of our PNP partners will be visible by July 16.”

The Comelec spokesperson also noted that specialized security protocols will be enforced in historically volatile areas to safeguard voters and election workers alike.

“In areas with a history of election-related incidents, the public can be assured that we will deploy more security forces,” Laudiangco added. “In fact, it won’t just be the PNP and AFP; a significant number of Comelec personnel will be stationed on the ground to help manage the election. We will also release the official list of election areas of concern once the election period starts.”

The upcoming September polls mark a critical milestone in the peace architecture of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), establishing its formal parliamentary governance structure.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

PNP takes custody of Senator Bato Dela Rosa’s firearms after license revocation

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

AUTHORITIES have officially taken custody of 20 firearms belonging to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa following the revocation of his gun privileges in connection with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against him.

The voluntary handover took place on June 11, 2026, at the former PNP chief’s residence in Barangay Ma-a, Davao City.

The turnover serves as the culmination of an enforcement order initiated late last month by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

Timeline of de-escalation of Dela Rosa’s gun privileges:

  • May 26, 2026: PNP FEO issues LTOPF & Registration Revocation Order via email.
  • May 27, 2026: Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU XI) officially serves the order on legal counsel.
  • June 11, 2026: Dela Rosa’s camp voluntarily surrenders 20 firearms for safekeeping.

The process began on May 26, when the RCSU XI received an electronic directive ordering the immediate cancellation of Dela Rosa’s License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and corresponding registrations.

The following day, May 27, RCSU XI chief Colonel Jomar Alexis A. Yap—in coordination with Police Regional Office XI director Brigadier General Leon Victor Z. Rosete—officially served the revocation order to Dela Rosa’s legal representative, Atty. Vicente Adrian Pajaro.

Two weeks after the order was served, Dela Rosa’s legal team coordinated the handover of the weapons. RCSU XI operatives conducted an on-site inventory of the surrendered firearms, cross-checking the serial numbers with the documents before issuing formal acknowledgment receipts.

The cache was subsequently transported to the RCSU XI headquarters at Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido in Buhangin, Davao City, for custody.

PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. praised the police and the senator’s camp for an incident-free process.

“What is vital is that the law is enforced clearly and orderly, with total respect for due process and coordination with all parties involved,” Nartatez said in a statement. “This underscores our continuing effort to ensure that enforcement is carried out with professionalism, transparency, and due regard for proper procedures.”

For his part, Rosete mirrored the sentiment, declaring that the operation was executed with the “highest degree of professionalism” and remained entirely fair and impartial.

The revocation and subsequent safekeeping operation align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to tighten institutional firearms controls and bolster nationwide public safety through Enhanced Managing Police Operations. 

The PNP has not publicly disclosed the exact administrative grounds that triggered the initial revocation of the high-profile lawmaker’s gun licenses.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Corporate exec arrested for illegal drugs at Calinan checkpoint

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

A MANAGER of a private company in Bukidnon was arrested on Monday morning, June 1, when over ₱131,000 worth of suspected illegal drugs were found stuffed inside shoes while passing through the checkpoint in Barangay Lacson, Calinan District.

The suspect, identified by authorities only as 44-year-old Allan, is a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

According to a report from Police Station 10 (Calinan), the suspect was flagged down at around 9:35 a.m. while driving a white Honda Brio through the joint Task Force Davao and Philippine National Police (PNP) checkpoint in Purok 2.

During a routine plain-view inspection, law enforcement personnel noticed a pair of shoes placed on the floor mat behind the passenger seat. 

Upon closer inspection, officers discovered four large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu tucked inside the footwear.

Police estimate the value of the seized contraband at ₱131,920.

In compliance with Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), as amended by RA 10640, anti-narcotics operatives immediately conducted the mandatory inventory, marking, and photographing of the seized evidence at the scene in the presence of the suspect and the required legal witnesses.

The suspect is currently detained at the Calinan Police Station and faces a charge for illegal possession of dangerous drugs (Section 11 of RA 9165).

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Hunt down Bato

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • 225,000-strong PNP mobilized after DOJ declares senator a ‘fugitive’

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) has officially ordered national law enforcement agencies to execute an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, prompting the Department of the Interior and Local Government to place the entire 225,000-strong Philippine National Police on active manhunt status.

The sweeping enforcement directive marks a total administration shift, occurring just two days after the Supreme Court denied Dela Rosa’s emergency prayer for a protective temporary restraining order.

In a definitive legal pronouncement, DOJ Secretary Frederick Vida declared the former PNP Chief a “fugitive,” effectively stripping away political buffers and greenlighting simultaneous operations by the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation.

When questioned by reporters regarding the scale of the impending operation—specifically if a rumored 10,000-man elite task force would be deployed—DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that the scope of the manhunt encompasses the entire state apparatus.

“It is not just a 10,000-man task force. The entire 225,000-strong force of the Philippine National Police is now tasked with tracking down Senator Ronald Dela Rosa,” Remulla stated. “We will follow the lead of the Secretary of Justice.”

Following the DILG’s declaration, PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. issued an official command statement confirming that the police force will immediately execute the DOJ’s operational order.

“The PNP respects the processes of the justice system and recognizes the authority of competent government agencies in the implementation of lawful orders,” Nartatez said. “As a law enforcement agency, the PNP shall perform its mandate in accordance with existing laws, due process, and established operational procedures.”

Nartatez assured the public that despite the highly charged political profile of the target, all actions undertaken by field units would remain “impartial, professional, and within the bounds of the law.”

The enforcement order creates a volatile standoff in Davao Region, which serves as the traditional stronghold of the Duterte political faction and Dela Rosa’s primary home base.

As of press time, TIMES has yet to receive a response from the Police Regional Office XI on whether it has already received operational directives to arrest or detain Dela Rosa the moment he is spotted within its territorial area of responsibility.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

No orders

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • Davao police say they are not actively looking for Senator Bato

THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) has received no directive from higher headquarters to monitor or arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa if spotted within its jurisdiction.

This was the announcement of DCPO spokesperson Capt. Hazel Caballero at the Davao Peace and Security Press Briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, May 20.

The local statement follows Dela Rosa’s sudden exit from the protective custody of the Senate sergeant-at-arms last week, which occurred shortly after the Senate convened to vote on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Honestly, within the Davao City Police Office, we have not received any instructions once our Senator Bato Dela Rosa is in (he is in the) area of responsibility,” Caballero said.

When pressed on whether specific tracking or monitoring protocols had been initiated by leadership, Caballero reiterated the lack of central directives.

“As far as I know, there are no instructions received by the Davao City Police Office with regards to the arrest of Senator Bato once he is in our area of responsibility,” she added.

Dela Rosa’s sudden departure from the Senate premises last week sparked widespread speculation of an impending arrest or legal summons.

It is a narrative the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) previously attempted to downplay by denying any new domestic subpoena, alongside rumors of an enforcement timeline regarding an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the DCPO maintained a “business-as-usual” stance.Local authorities stated they will not actively track the former PNP chief-turned-lawmaker without any direct order.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially unsealed and confirmed a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for crimes against humanity of murder.

The warrant alleges he served as an indirect co-perpetrator in a “common plan” to neutralize alleged criminals in the anti-drug campaign between July 2016 and April 2018.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to enforce the warrant but backed down when the Senate shielded him within the chamber.

Dela Rosa’s legal camp is seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court to block the warrant’s enforcement, arguing jurisdictional issues due to the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

The Department of Justice has issued an immigration lookout bulletin to prevent Dela Rosa from leaving the country.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

DCPO deploys new vehicles to strengthen tourist police visibility

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) is ramping up its specialized security operations following the formal turnover of new mobility assets to the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) on Monday afternoon.

The ceremony, presided over by DCPO city director Col Peter Bauzon Madria at Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor, saw the deployment of a 4×4 Mitsubishi Triton and a Honda XR 150 motorcycle specifically for tourist-heavy areas.

Madria emphasized that these new assets are not just upgrades, but essential tools for community safety.

 “These mobility assets will greatly improve our capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of our community,” Madria said during the turnover at the DCPO parade grounds on Monday afternoon.

The move comes at a crucial time as the city continues to see high tourism traffic.

 Madria issued a stern reminder to the TPU personnel regarding the upkeep of the new equipment, stressing that discipline and proper maintenance are key to ensuring the vehicles remain reliable for long-term visibility and patrol.

The addition of these vehicles is part of a broader effort by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to modernize local units and ensure that major urban hubs like Davao remain safe for both residents and visitors.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

CIDG serves subpoena at Bato’s Davao residence; PNP sets Thursday deadline for drug war probe

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) confirmed that a subpoena was officially served at the Davao City residence of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday, May 11, in relation to the probe into the extrajudicial killings as part of the war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The subpoena duces tecum, issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), marks a significant escalation in the revived investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights violations. The probe reportedly covers incidents spanning the former President’s term, as well as Dela Rosa’s tenure as Davao City Police Office chief.

PNP spokesperson Brig Gen Randulf Tuaño confirmed that the document was prepared and signed on Sunday, May 10, and delivered to the Senator’s home in Davao City the following day.

This move follows a failed attempt to serve the document at the Senator’s office in the Senate, where staff reportedly declined to sign for it, citing a lack of instructions from Dela Rosa. By serving the subpoena at his private residence, authorities have ensured the legal process continues despite the earlier stall in Manila.

10 a.m. deadline

The CIDG has “invited” the senator to appear at their National Headquarters on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 10 a.m.

While Dela Rosa has previously expressed a willingness to face local courts rather than international bodies like the ICC, this subpoena represents a domestic legal move by the current PNP leadership to address the controversial legacy of the drug war.

As the news broke, local authorities moved to address the situation in the Davao Region. Police Regional Office (PRO) XI director Leon Victor Rosete is scheduled to hold a high-level press conference at 4 p.m. today at Camp Catitipan, Buhangin District.

The briefing is expected to clarify the regional office’s role in the service of the subpoena and provide further details on the specifics of the CIDG’s requirements.

As of press time, Senator Dela Rosa has not issued a formal statement regarding the subpoena. 

TIMES has reached out to the Senator’s camp and is awaiting a response.

The revival of this investigation comes amid shifting political alliances and increasing pressure from human rights groups to provide accountability for the thousands of deaths recorded during the previous administration’s anti-drug operations.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Verified by MonsterInsights