American arrested in Occidental Mindoro for murder, illegal firearms

An American national was arrested during a law enforcement operation at Sitio Pamikalan, Barangay San Vicente, in the town of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on 23 December 2025.

The operation stemmed from the implementation of a search warrant conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit 4A, CIDG Batangas and Laguna Provincial Field Units, together with the CIDG Detection and Special Operations Unit (DSOU), Philippine National Police Special Action Force, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Police Regional Office 4B, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The search warrant was issued for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Authorities arrested a male suspect and seized one caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .22 rifle, assorted magazines, a large quantity of assorted ammunition, and 11 handheld radio units.

A report submitted to Police Major General Robert Aa Morico II, acting director of the CIDG, identified the suspect as “Ramon,” a 57-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Barangay San Vicente, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

He was arrested while in possession and control of two unlicensed firearms, assorted magazines, and ammunition, which were the subjects of the search warrant.

The arrested suspect, who previously ran for mayor of Abra de Ilog in the 2022 and 2025 elections, was identified by authorities as an alleged leader of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in the MIMAROPA region and a keeper of unlicensed armaments allegedly intended for the use of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

Authorities also said the suspect is a co-accused of Gregorio Rosal in warrants of arrest for murder, with no bail recommended, and four counts of frustrated murder, all issued by a court in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro on 21 April 2006.

The CIDG leadership commended PLtCol. Ganaban C. Ali, regional chief of CIDG Regional Field Unit 4A; PLtCol. Gene M. Licud of the CIDG DSOU; PMaj. Deni Mari O. Pedrozo of CIDG Batangas; PMaj. Ivan S. Soriano of CIDG Laguna; and all joint operating units for what it described as a successful intelligence-driven operation.

Authorities said the arrest of the suspect and the confiscation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition “significantly prevented future crimes from happening,” calling the operation a victory for the government’s campaign against criminality and terrorism.