05/09/2026
PNP NETS BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, 2 OTHERS IN VISAYAS ILLEGAL FI****MS RAIDS
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested three male suspects and recovered five illegal fi****ms, a fragmentation gr***de, and assorted ammunition in separate operations across the Visayas from September 1 to 3, 2026.
In Samar, RTF “KAMURAYAW,” together with the Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Sta. Margarita Municipal Police Station, implemented a search warrant in Brgy. Mabuhay, Sta. Margarita, on September 1. The operation resulted in the arrest of alias “Naldo,” 38, Filipino, a barangay chairman, and the recovery of one .45 caliber pistol with two magazines containing 13 live rounds and one M16 rifle with a defaced serial number and a magazine loaded with 20 live rounds of 5.56 ammunition.
Alias “Naldo” failed to present documents authorizing the lawful possession of the .45 caliber pistol. The search warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court of Calbayog City on August 24, 2026, and the suspect was arrested for violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Fi****ms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
In Iloilo, the CIDG Regional Field Unit 6 Special Operations Team, together with the CIDG Iloilo Provincial Field Unit, CIDG Iloilo City Field Unit, and territorial police units, implemented a search warrant in Brgy. Jibolo, Janiuay, on September 2. The operation led to the arrest of the male subject of the warrant and the seizure of a .45 caliber pistol, .38 revolver, 12-gauge homemade shotgun, magazines, and ammunition.
In Capiz, the CIDG Capiz Provincial Field Unit, with the Provincial Intelligence Team of Capiz, Regional Intelligence Unit 6, Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Capiz Police Provincial Office, and territorial police unit, conducted a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Banica, Roxas City, on September 3. The operation resulted in the arrest of another male suspect and the recovery of a .45 caliber pistol, a fragmentation gr***de, magazine, and ammunition.
The three suspects failed to present the required permits or licenses to own and possess fi****ms, while the seized fi****ms were not duly registered with the Fi****ms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police. The arrested suspects and recovered items were brought to the appropriate police units for documentation, proper disposition, and legal proceedings.
“Every illegal firearm removed from circulation reduces the opportunity for these weapons to be used in violence and other crimes. We will keep pursuing cases like these through lawful operations and make sure that violators are held accountable,” PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said.
“Hindi sapat na makumpiska ang mga armas; mahalaga ring mapanagot ang mga taong lumalabag sa batas. Walang dapat magtago ng baril o granada nang walang kaukulang pahintulot,” he added.
The operations support the PNP Focused Agenda, a framework for police transformation that strengthens accountable and responsive law enforcement. They advance Enhanced Managing Police Operations by sustaining focused efforts to recover illegal fi****ms and place violators before the proper authorities.
As the PNP strengthens efforts to keep illegal fi****ms and other dangerous weapons away from communities under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
