By John Andrew Tabugoc

CAUGHT. Two Army suspects allegedly selling illegal firearms drop themselves on the ground following an entrapment operation set up by military and police operatives against them for selling illegal firearms (inset) in M’lang North Cotabato on Friday (Jan. 24, 2025). Seized from them were three unlicensed M16 rifles. (Photo courtesy of NorthCotabatoToday.News)

M’LANG, North Cotabato – An active and a deserting member of the Philippine Army were arrested here Friday following an entrapment operation for allegedly selling illegal firearms.

Lt. Juaren Caang, spokesperson of the Cotabato Provincial Police Office, identified the suspects as Pfc Jay Clinton Delgado Paguntalan, 30, an active member of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion based in Makilala town, and Sarif Dasil Mungkas, 35, an Army deserter.

“We are still corroborating all information and evidence to determine if they belonged to a large syndicate,” Caang said in a statement released Saturday.

According to him, the Military Intelligence Battalion led the operation and coordinated the local police for the entrapment that led to the arrest of the suspects along the national highway in Barangay Lika at about 3:30 p.m.

Authorities recovered three M16 rifles from the suspects, including the PHP200,000 in buy-bust money.

Police are preparing cases against the suspects for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and the Commission on Elections gun ban under the Omnibus Election Code before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Kidapawan City.

The Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, in a statement, also lauded the arrest of the suspects. (PNA)