ILIGAN CITY — Alarm and concern gripped residents of Purok Duranta A, Barangay Santa Filomena late Saturday night, March 21, 2026, after police uncovered an abandoned firearm concealed inside a body bag, following a reported disturbance in the area.
According to initial police reports, authorities were alerted at around 10:50 p.m. by a concerned citizen who reported a commotion within the community. Acting swiftly on the tip, intelligence operatives, together with uniformed personnel led by Police Major Rorye V. Tabuclin of the Station Tactical Command (STACOM), immediately proceeded to the scene aboard a marked patrol vehicle.
Upon arrival, operatives conducted a thorough sweep of the vicinity, which led to a startling discovery in a grassy area. Authorities found a black body bag that appeared to have been deliberately abandoned.
Driven by standard operating procedures and suspicion over its contents, the responding team carefully opened the bag. Inside, they recovered a .45 caliber bearing serial number 128713, loaded with one live round of ammunition.
The firearm was promptly secured and transported to Iligan City Police Station 3 (ICPS-3) for proper documentation, forensic examination, and disposition.
Police have yet to determine the ownership of the recovered weapon and whether it is directly linked to the earlier reported disturbance. Investigators are currently pursuing leads to establish the origin of the firearm and identify individuals who may be responsible for abandoning it.
Authorities assured the public that intensified investigations are ongoing, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring community safety and holding accountable those who violate the law.
Residents, meanwhile, were urged to remain vigilant and to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.