Three individuals, including a media worker, were arrested by the Southern Police District (SPD) on Monday night for the alleged illegal sale of firearms.
According to a report by Jecelle Ricafort, the suspects were apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted around 9:00 p.m. along Kalayaan Street in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City.
In a press conference held at the SPD headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Police Major General Anthony Aberin said the group, which included the journalist, had been under surveillance for a month.
Recovered during the operation were several high-powered firearms, such as three rifles and a Glock pistol, along with multiple magazines and bullets, identification cards, gun licenses, and two vehicles.
Aberin stated that the group allegedly sourced their firearms from a supplier in Cavite and operated primarily in Metro Manila and Region 4A. However, their operations may have extended to other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
He added that authorities are not ruling out the possibility that someone else is orchestrating the group's operations, which may explain their confidence in carrying out these activities.
"Lumalabas na asessment natin, parang talagang may contact silang manufacturer or reporter. We cannot deny the possibilities na gawin nga po kasi [mga] bago pa siya walang gasgas. Meaning galing sa isang pagawaan," said Aberin.
In the same press conference, SPD Director Police Brigadier General Joseph Arguelles said the group may have had high-profile clients. He also assured the public that there will be no cover-up in the investigation.
"Walang nagmamanufature ng baril sa Cavite, but there will be a possibility ng mga importer kasi mayroong mga coastal areas din 'yon," said Arguelles.
"They cannot run a group like this na sila sila lang. Malamang mag nagpapatakbo sa kanila," he added.
Arguelles further revealed that one of the suspects is the nephew of a losing candidate for councilor in Makati City during the recent 2025 midterm elections.
Authorities are now investigating whether the seized firearms were licensed and if they had been used in any criminal activities.
