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NBI search of Surigao mayor’s house in Agusan yields no guns

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Chris V. Panganiban

NBI search of Surigao mayor’s house in Agusan yields no guns — Barobo, Surigao del Sur Mayor Ronito Martizano shows a copy of the search warrant issued against him after NBI agents searched his residence in Barangay Hubang, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. Martizano said no firearms listed in the warrant were found during the operation. Photo by Chris V. Panganiban

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents searched Wednesday morning the residence of Barobo, Surigao del Sur Mayor Ronito Martizano for guns but failed to find any.

The NBI team from the National Capital Region (NCR) arrived at Martizano’s home in Barangay Hubang here, at around 6 a.m. and searched the property for nearly an hour.

The operation was carried out based on Search Warrant No. 370-2026 issued by the Regional Trial Court of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, in connection with alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

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The warrant authorized the agents to look for a .45 caliber pistol, a KG-9 rifle, and ammunition.

But after the search, Martizano said no firearms or ammunition covered by the warrant were found inside his residence.

The mayor questioned the circumstances surrounding the raid, saying he believed it was connected to the ambush attempt against him on Feb. 3.

Martizano told local reporters that members of his household noticed suspicious activity days before the operation.

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He said a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm had been quietly monitoring his residence and that drones were allegedly used to observe the area.

Martizano claimed that his political detractors could be behind the incident, but did not name names.

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The mayor said the failed search added to his concerns about his safety following the February ambush incident.

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The NBI has yet to issue an official statement on the outcome of the search, and whether it will take further legal action following the operation./coa

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