A barangay official in Cagayan de Oro has lauded the arrest of one of the three individuals who allegedly sold depleted uranium illegally.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a house in Barangay Gusa and arrested the target.

Around five kilos of radioactive and contaminated materials that tested positive for Uranium-238 and Uranium-235 were confiscated from the house of the suspect.

Citing the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the NBI said uranium poses a serious threat to national security because it may be used as source material for nuclear weapons.

“Ang DU ay maaring gamitin as dirty bombs o radiation dispersal devices this makes as dirty bombs the ultimate weapon of terror,” NBI agent on case, Atty. Lyka Conales, said.

“Yung powder, pag ma-inhale o pumasok sa lungs altimeter ‘yun, ‘yun talaga ang magiging may material kana sa loob mo nag-ge-generate ng alpha particles, which is a potential root for cancer,” PNRI Director, Dr. Carlo Arcilla, added.

The barangay council of Gusa commended the arrest of the target.

Barangay officials only knew that the suspect was engaged in a laundry business.

“Kami sa barangay, although naa mi mga agent nga naa sab galakaw sa barangay labi na og information sa drugs, pero sa mga ing-ana nga mga high value na kaayo, kami wala kaayo mi capacity dinha,” Barangay Gusa Chairman, Marlo Tabac, said.

Prior to the operation in Cagayan de Oro, two more suspects were arrested in Pasay City and Mandaue City in Cebu.

“Iniimbestigahan na ngayon at sa tulong ng ating Interpool, FBI and other agencies dinedetermine na natin kung paano naipasok dito sa Pilipinas yang mga Uranium na yan,” NBI Director, Jaime Santiago, said.

NBI said the individuals arrested were presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice.

A case for violation of Republic Act 5207 or the Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968 has been filed before the Pasay and CDO courts.

“We hope there will be a revisit of the law as we speak. We understand that there is a pending bill para ma-improve itong batas,” NBI-NCR Director, Ferdinand Lavin, said.

(With reports from GMA News Online)