By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
A nationwide operation was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives on account of Philippine Nuclear Research Institute’s (PNRI) request for assistance in investigating the illegal trade of depleted uranium.
According to the PNRI, depleted uranium poses a serious threat to national security because this can be used as source material for nuclear weapons. Terrorist organizations are after depleted uranium to improve their weaponry. Additionally, due to its radioactivity and toxicity, it can expose the people in close contact with it to health threats.
Illicit trade of radioactive material is a violation of R.A. No. 5207, as amended, otherwise known as the “Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968”.
Following an order from NBI Director Jaime Santiago, operatives were immediately dispatched to investigate, recover the dangerous materials, and arrest the individuals involved in the illegal exchange of such hazardous substances.
Preliminary investigation uncovered the group of Roy Cabesas Vistal as the perpetrators behind the illegal activity, citing that said radioactive materials were offered for sale to the public by means of misrepresentation as precious metals.
This was followed by an entrapment operation on October 18, 2024 in Pasay City that resulted in the arrest of Mae Vergel Zagala a.k.a. “Madame Mae”, Vistal’s partner, along with Vistal’s agent, Arnel Gimpaya Santiago. Twenty kilograms of metal bars and three kilograms of black powder, which tested positive for uranium-235 and uranium-238, were also recovered from said operation.
Likewise, a search warrant was also carried out against Vistal and his accomplices at his residence, also located in Pasay City. The search conducted by the NBI and the PNRI technical team unraveled about three kilograms of black powder, rock material, small metal materials, and other contaminated items, all of which also tested positive for uranium-235 and uranium-238.
Moreover, the PNRI discovered that Vistal’s residence in Pasay City is heavily contaminated with an undetermined quantity of depleted uranium powder. As part of PNRI’s safety protocols, the area is currently undergoing decontamination procedure before its release to the owners.
Mastermind behind illicit trade of uranium eventually arrested by authorities
Following the earlier search conducted by authorities at his residence in Pasay City, Vistal was eventually apprehended in a manhunt operation by the NBI on October 28, 2024 at Cagayan de Oro City.
This was also backed up by the implementation of a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Cagayan de Oro, which yielded several radioactive and contaminated materials, including a black pot, weighing 3-5 kilograms that tested positive for uranium-235 and uranium-238.
Meanwhile, further investigation disclosed that the suspect’s group allegedly sourced the depleted uranium from Cebu. This was the subject of another search and seizure operation conducted by authorities on November 8 and 9, 2024 in Mandaue City that led to the recovery of about 60 kilograms of block metals, which also tested positive for uranium-235 and uranium-238.
About 100 kilograms of radioactive materials were seized in the nationwide operation conducted to take down the illegal trade of depleted uranium, along with the apprehension of individuals responsible for the illegal activities.
The suspects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice. A criminal case for violation of Section 6, in relation to Section 16, of Republic Act No. 5207, as amended, has been filed against the accused before the Courts in Pasay City and in CDO. (with report from Rod Lagusad/PTV News)
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