04/07/2026
PNP UNCOVERS CTG WAR CACHE HIDDEN IN CAGAYAN MOUNTAIN HIDEOUT
The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., uncovered a concealed cache of fi****ms, explosives, ammunition, and other war materiel believed to have been hidden by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in a former hideout in Sitio Llaga, Barangay Mabuno, Gattaran, Cagayan on July 2, 2026. The recovery denied the threat group access to weapons that could have been used to support future violent and terrorist activities.
The successful intelligence-driven operation was carried out by the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) through the 2nd Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company, with support from the Gattaran Municipal Police Station, Cagayan Provincial Explosives and Canine Unit, Police Intelligence Team Cagayan North, Regional Intelligence Unit 2, and the 17th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
The operation was launched after authorities verified information provided by a former rebel returnee regarding the presence of a hidden arms cache in the mountainous portion of Barangay Mabuno.
Validation confirmed that the secluded area had previously served as a mobility corridor, transit route, and temporary concealment site of the CTG because of its rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and limited accessibility. Authorities believe the hidden war materiel had been stored for possible future retrieval by remaining CTG members to support armed operations and other unlawful activities.
Recovered during the operation were two M76 High Explosive rifle gr***des with canisters, one M76B High Explosive rifle gr***de with canister, two 40mm High Explosive Dual Purpose rounds, two 40mm High Explosive rounds, seven 12-gauge shotgun shells, 20 rounds of 7.62mm linked ammunition, 134 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two non-electric blasting caps, six rounds of caliber .38 ammunition, nine fired caliber .38 shell casings, two caliber .38 revolvers, one improvised shotgun with magazine, two M16 magazines, one extended caliber .45 magazine, and one 12-volt wet cell battery.
The recovered items, wrapped in black plastic cellophane sheets and placed inside sacks, were immediately subjected to inventory, marking, and photographic documentation before being turned over to the appropriate custodial units for proper handling and disposition.
The accomplishment highlights the PNP’s continuing campaign to locate and recover hidden weapons before they can be exploited by threat groups. It also reflects the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic framework for organizational transformation that advances intelligence-driven policing through enhanced managing police operations to strengthen public safety and internal security.
“Every recovered weapon and explosive denies threat groups the means to carry out violence and undermine peace. We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations to protect our communities and safeguard national security,” said PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
“Hindi natin hahayaang magamit muli ang mga nakatagong armas at eksplosibo sa paghahasik ng takot at karahasan. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating mga operasyon,” he added.
As the PNP strengthens intelligence-driven operations to locate hidden war materiel, prevent the resurgence of threat groups, and reinforce internal security under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it remains committed to delivering “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)
