Regional EOD and Canine Unit CAR

16/08/2026

16/08/2026

PNP NABS NATIONAL MOST-WANTED CARNAPPING FUGITIVE IN LAGUNA

The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested a national most-wanted fugitive in Laguna on August 14, 2026, ending the manhunt for an accused facing a serious carnapping charge.

The 23-year-old Filipino male, a resident of Guinobatan, Albay, was apprehended in Purok 3, Barangay Sirang Lupa, Calamba City, Laguna, through an intelligence-driven operation conducted by personnel of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 5, Regional Headquarters Intelligence, Philippine Highway Patrol Team Albay, and the 1st Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Police served the Warrant of Arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court, Fifth Judicial Region, Branch 4, Legazpi City, for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10883, or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, with no bail recommended.

The arrest resulted from intelligence gathering and operational efforts that led police to locate the wanted accused outside his home province. He remains under temporary police custody for proper disposition before the warrant is returned to the issuing court.

“This arrest demonstrates that police intelligence and field operations can close the distance between wanted persons and the justice system. We will keep strengthening our efforts to locate individuals with standing warrants and ensure that they face the charges filed against them,” PGEN Nartatez said.

“Hindi nagtatapos sa isang operasyon ang ating tungkulin. Paiigtingin natin ang pagtugis sa mga sangkot sa carnapping at ang pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong krimen,” he added.

The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda by strengthening police service and operational effectiveness through Enhanced Managing Police Operations, particularly in locating wanted persons and enforcing lawful court processes.

As the PNP strengthens its pursuit of wanted persons and reinforces the rule of law under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)

16/08/2026

₱21M SMUGGLED CI******ES BLOCKED AT SEA OFF SIPALAY; 7 ARRESTED

The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., intercepted a suspected cigarette smuggling run off Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals and the seizure of an estimated ₱21 million worth of smuggled ci******es on August 15, 2026.

The operation was led by the PNP Maritime Group’s 4th Special Operations Unit, with the Regional Maritime Unit-Negros Island Region Special Operations Team, Bacolod Maritime Police Station, Sipalay Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Division-Negros Island Region, Negros Occidental Provincial Field Unit-CIDG, Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Philippine Coast Guard units in Southern Visayas providing operational support.

The seven arrested were a 48-year-old male boat captain from Barangay Mampang, Zamboanga City; a 34-year-old male from Barangay Arina Blanco; a 24-year-old male from Barangay Mampang; an 18-year-old male from Barangay Tonkir; a 52-year-old male from Mangaya-ay, Purok 4, Mampang; a 27-year-old male from the same area; and a 42-year-old male from Liha-Liha, Mampang, all in Zamboanga City.

The suspects were intercepted aboard a blue, red, and green motorized banca marked “AMOR PATI,” powered by twin engines with a defaced engine number, during a seaborne patrol using High Speed Tactical Watercraft 43.

The seizure consisted of 220 master cases of one cigarette product valued at ₱8,800,000.00 and 305 master cases of another valued at ₱12,200,000.00, for a total of 525 master cases or 26,250 reams of smuggled ci******es valued at ₱21,000,000.00. The motorized banca was likewise confiscated.

The seven face charges under Republic Act No. 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act; Republic Act No. 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act; and Republic Act No. 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law. The suspects and evidence were brought to the 4th SOU Headquarters for the filing of appropriate charges, with the National To***co Administration set to determine the final valuation of the seized ci******es.

“Stopping these shipments before they reach the market is critical to protecting legitimate businesses and enforcing our laws. We will remain vigilant and strengthen our capability to detect and intercept smuggling activities,” PGEN Nartatez said.

“Hindi natin hahayaang gawing daanan ng mga smuggled ci******es ang ating mga karagatan. Haharangin natin ang ganitong operasyon at pananagutin ang mga lumalabag,” he added.

The operation reinforces the PNP Focused Agenda, a framework of transformation designed to strengthen police service and operational effectiveness. It directly supports Enhanced Managing Police Operations by sharpening the PNP’s enforcement response against cigarette smuggling.

As the PNP steps up efforts to secure maritime routes and prevent the illegal movement of goods under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)

16/08/2026

PNP WELCOMES TWO CTG MEMBERS IN BUKIDNON SURRENDER

The Philippine National Police, under the leadership of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., facilitated the voluntary surrender of two Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members in separate operations in Bukidnon on August 14, 2026, as part of government efforts to encourage individuals to abandon armed activities and return peacefully to their communities.

In Don Carlos, Bukidnon, alias “Dodong,” 42, a male farmer and resident of the province, surrendered to personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and Kibawe Municipal Police Station (MPS), with support from intelligence and maneuver units. He was identified as a former member of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 53 (GF53) of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and was listed under the Non-Periodic Status Report (NPSR).

In a separate operation in Malaybalay City, alias “Rapid,” 53, a married male resident of Bukidnon, also surrendered during Minor Internal Security Operation Oplan “ARIS” in Barangay Zamboanguita. He was a former member of the Special Regional Strike and Development Group (SRSDG) under Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Both individuals are now under government custody for appropriate processing and reintegration interventions. Their decision to lay down their arms underscores the government’s efforts to provide former armed group members a lawful pathway toward peaceful reintegration and a return to productive community life.

The accomplishment supports the PNP Focused Agenda, a framework for police transformation, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations, through focused efforts that facilitate the peaceful reintegration of former CTG members.

“Choosing peace is a decisive step toward rebuilding lives and restoring families and communities affected by armed conflict. The PNP will remain firm in supporting lawful efforts that help individuals make that transition,” said PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

“May pagkakataon silang magsimula muli at mamuhay nang payapa kasama ang kanilang pamilya. Hinihikayat natin ang iba pang nais talikuran ang armadong pakikibaka na piliin ang pagbabalik sa komunidad,” he added.

As the PNP strengthens its peace and security efforts under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)

16/08/2026

ZAMBOANGA BUST YIELDS ₱16-M ALLEGED SMUGGLED CI******ES

The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., seized alleged smuggled ci******es worth more than PHP16 million and arrested a suspected trader in Zamboanga City on August 13, 2026.

The operation was conducted in Barangay Baliwasan Grande by the CIDG Regional Field Unit 9, 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company, and Zamboanga City Police Station, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs Region 9.

Arrested was a 47-year-old male, a resident of Bas Nonok, Lugus, Sulu, who was allegedly found in possession and control of the to***co products while selling and trading them.

Authorities confiscated 89 master cases and 800 reams of alleged smuggled ci******es with an estimated value of PHP16,179,407.00. The seized to***co products allegedly did not bear the required Graphic Health Warnings and BIR tax stamps.

The operation was conducted pursuant to Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which seeks to curb illicit trade and protect legitimate sectors from unscrupulous traders and importers.

“This operation shows that our police units remain ready to act against illegal to***co trading wherever it is detected. We will pursue enforcement actions that protect communities and uphold the law,” PGEN Nartatez said.

“Hindi palalampasin ng PNP ang ganitong uri ng ilegal na kalakalan. Gagawin natin ang nararapat upang mapanagot ang mga lumalabag sa batas,” he added.

The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda, a transformation framework that strengthens police service and operational effectiveness. It advances Enhanced Managing Police Operations through focused enforcement against illicit activities.

The PNP remains committed to keeping illegal to***co products out of communities and enforcing laws against illicit trade. Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)

15/08/2026

August 15, 2026
Gospel: Luke 1: 39-56
Reflection: “Mary bearing Jesus, bringing happiness”

15/08/2026