THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible involvement of a larger criminal group behind the two policemen who were arrested over illegal sale of firearms.
In a statement, PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he has ordered the conduct of a thorough investigation on the arrest of two policemen assigned at the Caloocan police station for gun running.
“There is no place in the PNP for personnel who abuse their authority or violate the law. If you choose to engage in criminal acts, you will be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted,” Nartatez said.
“Our internal cleansing program will continue without fear or favor, and we will hold every erring police officer fully accountable. In this particular case, we are checking if these arrested personnel are part of a larger criminal group,” he added.
The two police personnel, a 32-year-old police staff sergeant and a 39-year-old police master sergeant, were arrested in a buy-bust in Barangay 5 on Thursday, August 6.
The PNP chief said investigators are looking into the motive behind the alleged illegal sale of firearms, particularly amid reports of violent crimes in different areas.
He said the probe aims to determine whether the suspects have links to a wider criminal network or other unlawful activities.
Nartatez also directed the NCRPO to ensure a ballistic examination of all recovered firearms to determine whether they were used in previous shooting incidents and to trace their ownership.
He assured the public that the arrested police officers would face dismissal from the service and corresponding criminal and administrative charges. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)