03/09/2026
PNP ARRESTS THREE, UNCOVERS 10-GUN CACHE IN COTABATO
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested three men and recovered 10 unlicensed fi****ms after the PNP–Highway Patrol Group (HPG) intercepted three vehicles during an operation in Midsayap, Cotabato, on September 1, 2026.
The Special Operations Team of Regional Highway Patrol Unit 12, together with personnel of the Midsayap Municipal Police Station, was conducting patrol operations in Barangay Poblacion 5 in connection with anti-carnapping efforts when they encountered three vehicles that were illegally parked and causing obstruction.
The vehicles involved were a white Mitsubishi Montero, a gray Toyota Hilux, and a white Nissan Navara. While police personnel were approaching the vehicles for possible issuance of citation tickets, they allegedly spotted a pistol openly placed near the gear shift of one of the vehicles.
The discovery prompted police to ask for the pertinent documents for the firearm, but the driver allegedly failed to present the required documents. The three male occupants were subsequently apprehended, and the vehicles were secured for further investigation.
The arrested suspects were three male drivers aged 31, 28, and 22, all residents of Nabalawag, SGA-BARMM. The 31-year-old and 28-year-old suspects are residents of Barangay Kadigasan, while the 22-year-old suspect is from Barangay Kadingilan.
A total of 10 unlicensed fi****ms were recovered, consisting of four Cal. .45 C**t pistols, three Cal. .45 Armscor pistols, one Cal. .45 Infinity Fi****ms GPTX USA pistol, one Cal. .45 Re*****on pistol, one Elisco M16A1 rifle, and one Cal. 5.56 Re*****on Arms rifle, along with several magazines and assorted ammunition.
The three suspects are facing proceedings for alleged violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Fi****ms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The recovered fi****ms, ammunition, magazines, and vehicles were secured for proper documentation, ballistic examination, verification, and appropriate legal proceedings.
PGEN Nartatez underscored the importance of vigilance during routine police activities, noting that encounters initially involving traffic violations can also uncover more serious threats to public safety.
“Our personnel must remain alert even during routine patrols because seemingly ordinary encounters can reveal serious threats. This operation demonstrates the importance of vigilance, sound judgment, and decisive police action in keeping our communities safe,” PGEN Nartatez said.
“Ang pagkumpiska sa mga ilegal na baril ay mahalagang hakbang upang maiwasan ang krimen at maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad. Mananagot sa batas ang sinumang lalabag sa mga patakaran sa pagmamay-ari at pagdadala ng armas,” he added.
The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations, through proactive enforcement against threats to public safety.
The recovered fi****ms, ammunition, magazines, and three vehicles remain secured as authorities undertake the necessary documentation, ballistic examination, verification, and legal proceedings.
The successful arrests and recovery of illegal fi****ms underscore the PNP’s vigilance in keeping communities safe. 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)
