01/06/2026
PNP UNCOVERS ARMS CACHE, EXPLOSIVES IN CAGAYAN OPERATION
The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the command of PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., recovered an arms cache and improvised explosive device (IED) components during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Viga, Lasam, Cagayan on May 30, 2026, preventing the possible use of these weapons and explosives in activities that could endanger communities and undermine public security.
The recovery was the result of a joint operation conducted by personnel from the 2nd Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company, 112th Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force, 203rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 2, Cagayan Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit 2, Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the Lasam Municipal Police Station.
Acting on validated information provided by a former rebel, the operating units conducted focused security activities in the villages of Tagao, Viga, Peru, Nabannagan East, and Nabannagan West, leading to the discovery of assorted fi****ms, ammunition, explosive materials, communications equipment, and bomb-making components concealed in a remote area of Barangay Viga.
Recovered during the operation were four improvised blasting caps, 3.5 meters of commercial detonating cord, three meters of fuse time, six 40mm high-explosive cartridges, one Japanese Type 97 hand fragmentation gr***de, one PRB 423 high-explosive hand fragmentation gr***de, an improvised anti-personnel mine component, 156 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 41 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, two caliber .38 revolvers with six rounds of ammunition, three magazines for a 5.56mm rifle, an improvised shotgun, 20 meters of stranded wire, four cellular phones, a handheld radio, a 12-volt wet cell battery, a bandolier, and nine high-explosive rifle gr***des. The recovered items were brought to the Lasam Municipal Police Station for documentation, while the explosive materials and IED components were turned over to the Cagayan Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit for proper processing and disposition.
“The recovery of these weapons and explosive materials is a significant accomplishment that helps prevent potential threats to public safety. We will continue to pursue every lead and deny lawless elements the resources they need to carry out violent activities,” said PGEN Nartatez.
“Ang bawat armas at pampasabog na ating narekober ay isang hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas na komunidad. Mananatili tayong mapagbantay at kikilos agad laban sa anumang banta sa kapayapaan at kaayusan,” he added.
The accomplishment reflects the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic framework for transformation designed to make police service more responsive and accountable. In line with the key priority of Enhanced Managing Police Operations, the PNP continues to strengthen intelligence-driven efforts and sustained security initiatives aimed at preventing armed groups from regaining operational capability and threatening communities.
As the PNP continues to intensify operations against armed groups and recover weapons and explosive materials that pose risks to public safety 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)
