Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted a nationwide operation to investigate the alleged illicit trade of depleted Uranium in violation of R.A. No. 5207, as amended, otherwise known as the “Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968.” The operation resulted in the unprecedented seizure of about 100 kilos of radioactive materials and the arrest of the responsible individuals.
The case stemmed from when representatives of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) met with NBI director Jaime Santiago and sought assistance in investigating the alleged illegal trade of depleted Uranium.
According to the PNRI, depleted Uranium poses a serious threat to national security because it can be used as source material for nuclear weapons. Terror 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.
Upon the director’s order, a team of operatives was immediately dispatched to investigate, recover the dangerous materials, and arrest the Subjects.
The investigation revealed that Roy Cabesas Vistal’s group offered to sell the radioactive materials to the public by misrepresenting them as precious metals.
Consequently, the operatives of NBI-OD, HD, NCR, and STF led an entrapment operation in Pasay City on October 18, 2024, that resulted in the arrest of Mae Vergel Zagala, a.k.a. ‘Madame Mae,’ a partner of Vistal and Arnel Gimpaya Santiago.
Authorities also recovered 20 kilograms of metal bars and three kilograms of black powder, all positive for Uranium-235 and Uranium-238. Vistal, however, remained at large at the time.
The NBI and the PNRI Technical Team also implemented a Search Warrant against Vistal et al. at his residence in Pasay City. The search led to the seizure of about three kilograms of black powder, rock material, small metal materials, and other contaminated items that all tested positive for Uranium235 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 the PNRI’s safety protocols, the area is currently undergoing a decontamination procedure before being released to the owners.
As a result of this bureau’s manhunt operation, Vistal was eventually arrested on October 28, 2024, in Cagayan de Oro City.
On October 28, 2024, Operators of NBI-OD, HD, NCR, NEMRO, and the PNRI Technical Team, assisted by the CBRNC, PA, 4ID, and PAF, AFP, also implemented a Search Warrant at Vistal’s residence in Cagayan de Oro City.
The operation resulted in the seizure of several radioactive and contaminated materials, including a black pot weighing three to five kilograms that tested positive for Uranium 238 and Uranium-235. The Team also detected severe surface contamination with Uranium-238 and Uranium-235 in the various areas of the subject residence, including the family vehicle.
Further investigation disclosed that Vistal’s group allegedly sourced the depleted Uranium from Cebu.
On November 8 and 9, 2024, Operatives from NBI-OD, HD, STF, CEVRO, and CEBDO, PNRI, and the troops of the AFP Cebu Joint Task Force, conducted another search and seizure operation in Mandaue City that paved the recovery of about 60 kilograms of block metals, which tested positive for Uranium-238 and Uranium235.
The arrested suspects were presented for inquest before the Department of Justice, Padre Faura. Subsequently, a criminal case for Violation of Section 6, about Section 16, of Republic Act No. 5207, as amended, was filed before the Courts in Pasay City and CDO.
Director Santiago commended the teams for their dedication and bravery in seizing the radioactive materials despite their intrinsic hazards.
He said that successful operations would not have been possible without the collaborative and relentless efforts of the men and women of the NBI, PNRI, intelligence community, AFP, local government units, and private institutions.