THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a suspected gunrunner in an entrapment operation in Batangas, yielding three unregistered high-powered firearms.
In a press conference on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, CIDG acting director Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano said the operation was conducted by the CIDG provincial field unit in Barangay San Bartolome, Santo Tomas town, on August 1, resulting in the arrest of one person.
“The arrested suspect is allegedly involved in the illegal trading of firearms and gunrunning activities in Batangas and nearby provinces,” said Abrahano.
Recovered from the suspect were two caliber 5.56 rifles and one caliber .22 rifle, along with magazines and ammunition, with an estimated value of P700,000.
“These are not ordinary loose firearms ang tawag namin dito ay factory fit o close to factory fit rifles, mga original parts ito na binago para maging M4 type rifles so it is not manufactured here in the country so it begs the questions saan nanggaling o anong avenue nanggaling ito? So we are looking on that and we are developing a law enforcement projects para makita ito,” Abrahano added.
(These are not ordinary loose firearms. We refer to these as "factory fit" or "close to factory fit" rifles—original parts modified to become M4-type rifles. These are not manufactured in the country, which raises questions: Where did they come from? Through what avenue did they enter? We are looking into that and developing law enforcement projects to trace their origins)
He said another target of the operation remains at large, and that the two suspects belong to an organized group.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, have been filed against the arrested suspect.
“I commend the CIDG Batangas Provincial Field Unit for the swift and responsive operation that led to the successful arrest of this alleged gunrunner and the seizure of three loose firearms,” said Abrahano.
“With the confiscation of these firearms, we have removed from circulation instruments of killing, thereby significantly preventing crimes in society,” he added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)