In a significant crackdown on illegal firearm activities during the election period, a 25-year-old student from Quezon City was apprehended in Makati City. The arrest occurred during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in a parking lot along Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Barangay Magallanes at around 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
The suspect was found in possession of various high-powered firearms and accessories, including a 5.56 rifle model SLR-B15, a cal. 5.7 Ruger pistol, multiple magazines, and a significant amount of live ammunition. Additional items seized included a black rifle bag, a sling bag containing the Ruger pistol, an inside holster, a cellphone, marked money, a 2018 Toyota Corolla Altis, and various identification cards.
The arrest was made under the charges of illegal firearm sales, violating Republic Act 7166 and Comelec Resolution 11067, which bans unauthorized firearm transactions during elections. The suspect failed to provide any legal documents or Comelec exemptions authorizing the sale of firearms.
Following the arrest, the suspect was taken into custody by the Southern Police District’s Special Operation Unit for further documentation and legal proceedings. The NCRPO is currently conducting forensic analysis on the confiscated firearms to check for any connections to past criminal activities.
In related news, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a total of 691 gun ban violators arrested as of Thursday, with the majority being civilians, followed by security guards and a few government officials. The National Capital Region topped the list with 206 arrests, followed by Central Luzon and Central Visayas. The PNP has confiscated 692 firearms through various operations, including police responses, anti-drug operations, checkpoints, and gun buy-busts.
The PNP has been actively enforcing the gun ban mandated by Comelec Resolution No. 10999, which is in effect from January 12 to June 11, 2025. This period coincides with the campaign periods for senators and party-list representatives from February 11 to May 10, and for local candidates from March 28 to May 10.