The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into possible lapses in command responsibility following the arrest of two police officers linked to the illegal transport of mineral ore in Misamis Oriental.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incident prompted a review of supervisory accountability, noting that the officers were apprehended outside their assigned jurisdiction—an indication they may have been acting as unauthorized escorts.
“The fact that they were caught outside their jurisdiction suggests they were moonlighting as escorts,” Nartatez said, reiterating the organization’s strict stance against misconduct.
Authorities arrested two active-duty policemen along with four civilians on April 27 after they were caught transporting an estimated P290,000 worth of suspected mineral ore without permits. The group was intercepted at a checkpoint in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Limonda, Opol town, while onboard an Isuzu L300 van.
A search of the vehicle yielded 58 sacks of unprocessed mineral ore, along with firearms and ammunition reportedly issued to the officers. The suspects failed to present documents authorizing the transport of the cargo.
The arrested officers—a police senior master sergeant and a police staff sergeant assigned to the Monkayo Municipal Police Station in Davao Region—were found to be operating beyond their jurisdiction at the time of arrest.
They are now under police custody and are set to face charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, along with administrative cases for grave misconduct.
Nartatez said the incident aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to uphold integrity within the police ranks.
He has ordered the immediate relief of the involved personnel and directed the PNP Internal Affairs Service to conduct a deeper probe. Investigators are also looking into a possible wider network of officers allegedly acting as escorts for unauthorized transport activities.
“Command responsibility is being reviewed. If there were lapses on the part of supervisors, they will also be held accountable,” Nartatez said. “We will not tolerate this kind of activity or allow it to tarnish the organization.”