15/10/2026
PNP SEIZES OVER ₱155-M IN CONTRABAND, MINING EQUIPMENT; 21 ARRESTED IN MINDANAO
Under the leadership of PGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), police operations in Mindanao resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals and the seizure of more than ₱155 million worth of suspected smuggled ci******es, mining equipment, fi****ms, and other items in separate operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
The operations underscore the PNP’s continuing efforts to address activities that affect public safety, legitimate commerce, and the responsible use of the country’s natural resources through coordinated and timely police action.
In Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, three individuals were arrested during an anti-smuggling operation in Barangay White Beach on October 14. Police recovered 40 master cases of suspected smuggled ci******es with an estimated value of ₱2.3 million, as well as two unmarked wooden motorized boats.
The operation involved the Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Police Station, Pagadian City Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division 9, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and National Intelligence and Security Group.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Mabini, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, 18 individuals were arrested during an operation against suspected unauthorized mining activities. Police and partner agencies recovered fi****ms and am******on, Chinese nationals’ documents, heavy equipment, generator sets, mining machines, sluice mats, ore samples, a pickup truck, compressors, fuel, and other related materials.
The recovered mining equipment and paraphernalia were estimated at ₱153.343 million, excluding an approximately 80-kilogram ore sample. The operation was conducted by personnel of the Surigao City Police Station, Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office, Regional Intelligence Division 13, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13, Regional Intelligence Unit 13, and partner offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
PGen Nartatez emphasized that effective police work goes beyond the recovery of contraband or the arrest of individuals, stressing the importance of proper coordination, evidence handling, and adherence to due process.
“Malaki ang naitutulong ng mga ganitong operasyon dahil napipigilan natin ang mga aktibidad na maaaring makaapekto sa komunidad at sa mga sumusunod sa batas. But we also have to be careful and deliberate—verified information, proper coordination, and operations conducted within the law,” PGen Nartatez said.
He added that every operation must ultimately contribute to building public confidence in the police service.
“Hindi natatapos ang trabaho sa pagkakaaresto o pagkakasamsam. We have to make sure that the evidence is properly handled and that the cases are built the right way. Ganoon natin ipinapakita na seryoso tayo sa ating tungkulin at mapagkakatiwalaan tayo ng publiko,” he said.
The operations are part of the PNP’s implementation of its Focused Agenda, particularly under Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which promotes responsive police action, stronger inter-agency coordination, and sound management of police operations.
The PNP continues to coordinate with concerned government agencies and local partners in addressing smuggling, unauthorized resource extraction, and other activities that may affect public safety and lawful economic activity, consistent with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Through these continuing efforts, the PNP remains committed to a professional, accountable, and responsive police service—fulfilling its mandate under the banner of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)