A serving member of the Philippine National Police and a former soldier were collared on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after a joint anti-illegal firearms operation was conducted in Villasis, Pangasinan — with both suspects now facing criminal charges over the alleged unlawful sale of guns and ammunition.
Joint Operation Nets Two Suspects
The operation was a coordinated effort between the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Pangasinan Provincial Field Unit and the Villasis Municipal Police Station, according to the PNP Public Information Office (PNP-PIO). The target was the alleged illegal trading of firearms and ammunition in the area.
The PNP-PIO confirmed that the arrested officer is a non-commissioned officer currently posted at a police station in Nueva Ecija. His co-suspect is a former military serviceman. Neither suspect was identified by name in the PNP's announcement.
Both individuals were informed of the basis for their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights upon apprehension, the PNP said. They were subsequently brought to the CIDG office in Urdaneta City for documentation and the start of formal legal proceedings.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered at the Scene
Several firearms and related items were confiscated during the operation. The PNP said authorities seized a 5.56mm rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, magazines, and ammunition believed to be connected to the alleged illegal transaction.
Additionally, a PNP-issued 9mm pistol along with ammunition were recovered from the police officer following what the PNP described as a lawful body search carried out at the scene.
Charges Under RA 10591
According to the PNP-PIO, both suspects are being charged with violations of Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. This law regulates the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in, and importation of firearms and ammunition in the Philippines, and sets out penalties for illegal or unlicensed firearms transactions.
PNP Chief Issues Accountability Warning
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. addressed the arrest directly, stressing that wearing the uniform carries significant responsibility.
"Ang pagiging pulis ay may kaakibat na malaking responsibilidad. We are entrusted to enforce the law, so we must also be accountable for our own actions," Nartatez said.
The PNP chief further stated, according to the PNP-PIO, that any officer or personnel found to have violated the law must face the appropriate consequences — regardless of rank or position — with no exceptions made and no one protected from accountability.
Integrity Monitoring Program Put to the Test
The PNP said the case is being cited as an instance that underscores the importance of its Focused Agenda on Integrity Monitoring — an internal program aimed at enforcing accountability and maintaining professional standards among police personnel. The PNP-PIO said the force will allow the investigation to proceed on the basis of evidence and legal procedure, while continuing broader efforts to suppress the illegal flow of firearms nationwide.
By the Numbers
- 1 active PNP non-commissioned officer arrested
- 1 former military man arrested
- 1 5.56mm rifle seized
- 1 caliber .45 pistol seized
- 1 PNP-issued 9mm pistol recovered from the police officer
- Charges filed under Republic Act No. 10591
Why This Matters
The detention of an on-duty police officer in connection with an illegal firearms deal raises serious questions about conduct within the force — a concern PNP chief Nartatez addressed publicly. The case now serves as a direct test of the PNP's Focused Agenda on Integrity Monitoring, which holds police personnel to the same legal standards they are sworn to uphold. Formal proceedings are underway at the CIDG office in Urdaneta City, with both suspects facing charges under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Source: Philippine News Agency / PNP Public Information Office