A suspect involved in the alleged illegal trade of depleted Uranium has been arrested in Cagayan de Oro City. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that operatives captured Roy Cabesas Vistal on October 28, 2024, after a nationwide manhunt. Seized during the operation were several radioactive and contaminated materials, including a black pot, weighing three (3) to five (5) kilograms, which tested positive for Uranium-238 and Uranium-235. Contamination from these materials were also found in Vistal’shome and vehicle. Vistal faces charges under R.A. No. 5207or the “Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968. Two accomplices, Mae Vergel Zagala a.k.a. “Madame Mae” and Arnel Gimpaya Santiago, were earlier arrested in Pasay City during an entrapment operation on October 18.
Watch the bodycam footage of the actual operation of the NBI below courtesy of John Consulta.
Read the press release in full below.
PRESS RELEASE | Depleted Uranium Case
Under the leadership of NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), the Operatives of the NBI conducted a nationwide operation on 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, which resulted in the unprecedented seizure of about 100 kilos of radioactive materials and the arrest of the responsible individuals.
The case stemmed when the Representatives of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) met with Director Santiago, and sought for assistance in investigating the aforesaid illegal trade of depleted Uranium.
According to the PNRI, depleted Uranium poses a serious threat to national security because such 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 order of the Director, a Team of Operatives was immediately dispatched to investigate, to recover the dangerous materials, and to arrest the Subjects.
Investigation disclosed that the group of ROY CABESAS VISTAL offered for sale the said radioactive materials to the public by misrepresenting that the same are 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”, ROY VISTAL’s partner, and ARNEL GIMPAYA SANTIAGO, VISTAL’s agent, and the recovery of 20 kilograms of metal bars and 3 kilograms of black powder, all positive for Uranium-235 and Uranium-238. VISTAL, however, remained at-large at time time.
On even date, the NBI and the PNRI Technical Team, also implemented Search Warrant against ROY VISTAL, et. al., at his residence in Pasay City. The search led to the seizure of about 3 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 undeterminable 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.
As a result of the manhunt operation of this Bureau, VISTAL was eventually arrested on October 28, 2024 in Cagayan de Oro City.
On October 28, 2024, Operatives of NBI-OD, HD, NCR, NEMRO, and the PNRI Technical Team, assisted by the CBRNC, PA, 4ID and PAF, AFP, also implemented 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 (3) to five (5) 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 Subjects were presented for Inquest Proceedings before the Department of Justice, Padre Faura. Subsequently, a criminal case for Violation of Section 6, in relation to 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 to seize the radioactive materials, in spite of its intrinsic hazards.
He said that the successful operations would not have been made possible absent the collaborative and relentless efforts of the men and women of the NBI, PNRI, intelligence community, AFP, local government units, and private institutions.
photos by NBI
