The Philippine National Police (PNP) unearthed a buried cache of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and subversive materials in Sitio Buri, Barangay Inhobol, Masinloc, on June 25, 2026, in a targeted internal security operation.
The discovery was made by the Zambales 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) in coordination with the Zambales Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (ZPECU) and the Masinloc Municipal Police Station, following a tip from a former member of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). The three-day operation, conducted from June 23 to 25, led authorities to the buried repository.
Recovered items included:
- Firearms: 2 improvised shotguns
- Ammunition: 123 rounds of assorted calibers (including 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 40mm, 9mm, and 12-gauge shotgun shells)
- Magazines & bandoliers: 20 magazines, 1 bandolier
- Explosives: 4 high-explosive rifle grenades, 1 canister, 1 non-electric blasting cap with fuse, 2 commercial detonating cords
- Other items: Tactical medical supplies, and one folder containing subversive propaganda
Non-explosive items are now secured by the PMFC, while explosives were turned over to ZPECU for safe handling and disposal.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. called the operation a “significant victory” in the fight against armed threats in communities.
“Mahalagang tagumpay ito sa ating kampanya laban sa armadong banta sa kapayapaan at seguridad. Ang pagkakarekober ng mga nakatagong armas at war materiel ay hakbang upang mapigilan ang kanilang posibleng paggamit laban sa mamamayan,” he said.
The recovery highlights the PNP’s ongoing commitment to intelligence-driven internal security operations, part of the agency’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations under its Focused Agenda. Nartatez emphasized that authorities will continue acting on credible information to locate and neutralize hidden caches used by armed groups.
“We will not stop until all threats are recovered and removed from our communities,” he said, reaffirming the PNP’s dedication to “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman,” under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
This operation is among several recent PNP initiatives aimed at preventing armed groups from accessing weapons and explosives that could threaten civilian safety and public order.