THREE persons, including two village councilmen, were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in an entrapment operation at Barangay Old Poblacion in Escalante City, Negros Occidental Wednesday, November 14.

Police identified the suspects as councilman Rollie Jaena, 49, of Andres Bonifacio village; councilman Leslie Lamayo, 49, of Old Poblacion village; and alleged buyer Luvismin Bautista, 55, of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Joint operatives of Escalante City Police Station and Sagay City Police Station, together with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), raided the house of Lamayo at 7 p.m.

Authorities received a report about the alleged transaction involving the two village councilmen which prompted them to conduct an entrapment operation.

Recovered by the police during the operation were KG-9 caliber .9mm rifle, caliber .22 rifle, .45 caliber pistol, two magazines each of the two rifles, three magazines of .45 caliber pistol, 10 live ammunition of the two rifles, nine live ammunition of the pistol, two magazine pouch, three holsters, and two silencers.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act are being readied against the three suspects who are detained at the custodial facility of Escalante City Police Station.