TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental — Several individuals identified in a police blotter as American soldiers, accompanied by personnel of the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation (PHIVIDEC), were allegedly stopped from entering the Sanjia Steel Company compound in Barangay Zena, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, after they reportedly failed to present documents authorizing an inspection of the facility.
The incident was recorded by the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station on August 19, 2026, following a complaint filed by 43-year-old security guard Jermie Espartero, who was on duty at the company premises at the time.
According to the police blotter, the group arrived at around 10:12 a.m. and allegedly stated that they intended to conduct an inspection of the Sanjia Steel facility. Espartero told police that the presence of the individuals and their stated purpose caused concern among company personnel.
The security guard further reported that Philippine Army personnel assigned to secure the premises refused to allow the group to enter, allegedly because they failed to present a permit or other authorization to conduct the proposed inspection.
The matter was formally entered into the police blotter at about 11:05 a.m. that same day for documentation and future reference. The police record, however, does not establish whether the individuals were actually authorized to conduct an inspection, nor does it identify the specific American military personnel or PHIVIDEC officials allegedly involved.
The blotter entry likewise does not state whether the attempted entry was connected to any previous government inspection, enforcement operation, security activity, or other official undertaking involving the Sanjia Steel facility.
Chinese Embassy Questions Reported Inspection
The reported incident has drawn wider attention following a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which questioned the alleged presence of American military personnel at the Sanjia Steel facility.
The embassy described the reported appearance of American soldiers at the steel company as “disturbing news” and questioned why U.S. military personnel would allegedly be involved in an inspection of a company operating in the Philippines.
The embassy also raised questions about whether the reported incident could be connected to what it characterized as discriminatory and selective law enforcement targeting Chinese nationals for political considerations.
It further questioned whether the reported activity had any connection to plans involving the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate, including the reported proposal to develop a major American fuel hub within the approximately 3,000-hectare industrial estate.
Those allegations and questions, however, have not been established by the police blotter provided in connection with the August 19 incident.
The police document only records the security guard’s account that several individuals described as American soldiers, together with PHIVIDEC personnel, attempted to enter the Sanjia Steel premises to conduct an inspection and were denied entry after allegedly failing to produce the required authorization.
Identities, Authority Remain Unclear
Several important questions remain unanswered, particularly the identities and official affiliations of the individuals who allegedly attempted to enter the facility, the precise purpose of the proposed inspection, and whether they possessed any government-issued authority that was not presented to the security personnel.
It also remains unclear whether the PHIVIDEC personnel were acting under an official inspection order or directive, whether the activity had been coordinated with Sanjia Steel management, and what specific role the reported American military personnel were expected to perform.
The police blotter does not make any finding of wrongdoing against the individuals involved. It is, at this stage, a documentation of the incident based on the account of the complainant.
The reported involvement of American soldiers is particularly significant and warrants clarification from the concerned agencies, given that the incident allegedly involved an attempt to inspect a private industrial facility.
The Mindanao Sentinel News is seeking clarification from PHIVIDEC and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) regarding the identities of the personnel allegedly involved, the purpose of their visit, the legal or administrative authority for the proposed inspection, and whether the activity was part of any officially sanctioned operation.
The news team is also seeking clarification on whether any U.S. military personnel were formally involved in the activity and, if so, under what capacity and authority.
As of publication, the concerned agencies had yet to provide their side of the incident.
Until official statements, inspection orders, authorizations, or other supporting documents are made available, claims concerning the purpose of the attempted entry, the precise role of the reported American military personnel, and any alleged connection to broader law-enforcement or geopolitical considerations remain unverified.
The August 19 police blotter entry nevertheless establishes that the incident was formally reported to the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station and recorded for documentation and possible future legal or administrative action.