Several alleged American soldiers, accompanied by personnel from the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation (PHIVIDEC), reportedly attempted to enter the premises of San Jia Company in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, prompting Philippine Army personnel stationed inside the facility to refuse them entry, according to a police blotter.

The incident was recorded by the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station on August 19, 2026, following a complaint filed by Jermie Espartero, 43, a security guard assigned to San Jia Company at Zone 1, Nabulad Baluarte.

According to the police report, Espartero went to the police station at about 11:05 a.m. and reported that at around 10:12 a.m., several American soldiers, together with PHIVIDEC personnel, allegedly arrived at the company premises and said they intended to conduct an inspection.

The presence of the group reportedly caused concern among company personnel.

Philippine Army personnel who were on duty inside the facility allegedly refused to allow the group to enter because they failed to present any permit or authorization to conduct the intended inspection.

The incident was subsequently placed on record at the request of the security guard for documentation and possible future reference.

The police blotter does not identify the alleged American soldiers by name, military unit or nationality documentation. It likewise does not specify the purpose of the proposed inspection or indicate whether the individuals were acting under an official US government mission.

PREVIOUS RAID AT SAN JIA

The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a major law-enforcement operation at the same San Jia facility earlier this year.

On May 15, 2026, authorities conducted a raid at Philippine San Jia Steel Corporation while implementing a search warrant. Sixty-nine Chinese nationals were arrested during the operation. Authorities had alleged that the facility was using hazardous materials, including uranium and thorium, and that some of the foreign nationals were living at the facility while performing various operational, technical, administrative and industrial functions.

However, the case subsequently took a significant turn.

In June, the Department of Justice prosecution office ordered the immediate release of the 69 Chinese nationals, citing insufficient evidence connecting them individually to specific immigration and labor violations. The plant reportedly remained shuttered as questions surrounding the company’s compliance and the broader circumstances of the raid continued to be investigated.

The May raid and the latest reported attempt to enter the facility are separate incidents, but the proximity of the developments has placed renewed attention on activities at the San Jia premises.

The August 19 police blotter does not establish any connection between the alleged American personnel and the earlier May operation. It does, however, raise questions about why foreign military personnel were reportedly seeking access to the facility, who authorized their presence, and what inspection they intended to conduct.

The identities and affiliations of the alleged American personnel, as well as the authority cited for the proposed inspection, remain to be clarified by the concerned agencies. The incident was recorded by PSSg Cuyugan, MHM, and noted by Tagoloan Municipal Police Station Chief of Police PMaj Enrique Francisco Dungog.