THREE suspected gunrunners were arrested and six high-powered firearms with ammunition were seized in an intelligence-driven operation launched by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Zamboanga City, an official said Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Lawyer Jose Ernie Monsanto, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional director, did not release the identities of the arrested suspects pending further investigation.
Monsanto said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, August 6, at the Paseo del Mar Recreational Park in Zone 4 village, Zamboanga City.
"These (suspects) is a group of people believed to be members of a syndicate engaged in selling high-powered firearms in the region," Monsanto said.
He said the suspects, who pretended to be businessmen, are operating in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte.
Seized from the three arrested suspects were four M4 rifles and two caliber .45 pistols with ammunition, and a car they use in making transactions.
Monsanto said they were able to complete the transaction and arrest the suspects even though they demand a higher price than the offer of the NBI poseur-buyer.
"We offered P145,000 for each rifle but they demanded a higher price," he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)