By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Police operatives arrested three persons, including a tabloid reporter, for alleged illegal trade of firearms and ammunition in Makati City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday.
In a press conference at the Southern Police District (SPD) headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspects also include a relative of a non-winning councilor candidate of Makati City, and a building maintenance worker.
The SPD-District Special Operations Unit operatives arrested the suspects in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati City on Monday.
“Ibinibenta po nila ito online. Ito po ay naging product ng cyber patrolling natin at nakakita tayo ng ganito at nakipag-engage tayo sa kanila, isang buwan tayong nakipag-transact sa kanila, until such time na pumayag sila na makipag-meet up (They sell it online. This was the product of our cyber patrolling. We saw something like this and we engaged them, we transacted with them for a month, until such time that they agreed to meet up),” Aberin said.
Recovered from the arrested suspects were three automatic 5.56 Armalite rifles and one .45 caliber pistol with assorted ammunition worth more than PHP500,000.
Aberin said civilians are prohibited from owning an automatic 5.56 Armalite rifle.
He lauded the SPD operating teams for their swift and coordinated action.
He said further investigation is underway to determine the suspects’ possible involvement in other illegal firearms transactions in Metro Manila.
SPD acting Director, Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles, said the arrest of these individuals demonstrates our sustained commitment to stopping the proliferation of illegal firearms in the communities.
He said these unlicensed weapons are more than just contraband – they are tools of violence that empower criminal elements, endanger innocent lives, and undermine public safety.
“Every firearm taken off the streets is a step toward a safer environment for our families and communities,” Arguelles said.
The suspects will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law, in relation to the prevailing election gun ban. (PNA)
