General Santos City – Authorities arrested three armed men who were caught dismantling a barbed wire perimeter fence on private farmland in Barangay San Jose on the afternoon of March 2, 2026, following a swift response by joint police units.
According to a report from Philippine National Police, the incident was reported at around 3:30 p.m. when the owner of a farmland property in the village alerted authorities that unidentified armed individuals had forcibly entered his land and were destroying sections of his perimeter fencing.
Personnel from Police Station 7 immediately coordinated with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 and the City Mobile Force Company of the General Santos City Police Office to verify the report and secure the area. Upon arrival, responding officers found three male suspects in the act of removing parts of the barbed wire fence that enclosed the property.
Police said officers initially attempted to engage the suspects in dialogue. However, the situation escalated when the men allegedly drew handguns, forcing law enforcers to employ reasonable and lawful force to subdue them and prevent further danger.
The suspects were quickly overpowered and arrested at the scene.
Authorities recovered several firearms and explosives during the operation, including:
- One 9mm pistol with loaded magazines
- One .38 caliber revolver loaded with ammunition
- One .45 caliber magazine containing live ammunition
- Two fragmentation grenades
Police officials described the discovery of grenades among the seized items as a serious security concern, noting that the presence of explosives could have posed a significant threat to residents in the area.
After the arrest, the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and placed under police custody pending further investigation.
Investigators said the confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic examination to determine whether they were used in previous crimes. Meanwhile, the recovered fragmentation grenades will be turned over to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel for proper handling and disposal.
Authorities are now preparing appropriate criminal charges against the suspects through inquest proceedings, which may include illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as other possible offenses related to the intrusion and destruction of private property.
Police assured the public that intensified patrols and security measures will continue to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of communities.