Provincial

CIDG MEN CAPTURE 2 SUSPECTED HIRED GUNS, SEIZE CACHE OF GUNS IN PAMPANGA

admin February 28, 2025

BY KEVIN GALANG

OPERATIVES of the Police Regional Office 3 capture two suspected guns-for-hire operating in Central Luzon in a raid in Arayat, Pampanga.

Seized during the operation were a cache of high-powered firearms and a grenade.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the suspects were caught in Purok 5, Bgy. Mapalad, Arayat municipality.

The raid was made amid the intensified effort to account for private armed groups, guns-for-hire and loose firearms that could be used to disrupt the holding of a peaceful and orderly May 12 National and Local Elections.

One of the suspects identified only as “Antonio” turned out to be the subject of a warrant of arrest for usurpation of authority and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 and RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The warrant for usurpation of authority was issued by the Catigban-San Isidro-Sagbayan Boholo Municipal Circuit Trial Court while the warrant for “service of sentence”’ for violation of RA 10591 was issued by the San Mateo, Rizal Regional Trial Court Branch 76 on February 20, 2023.

Meanwhile, the third warrant for violation of RA 9165 was issued by the Malabon City RTC Branch 169 on February 21, 2023, with a P200,000 bail recommended.

Investigation showed “Antonio” and his cousin “Ariel” were placed under arrest after officers recovered a fragmentation grenade, two cal. .45 semi-automatic pistols, a cal. .45 suppressor or silencer, one MK-9 9mm sub0-machine gun and several magazines and assorted live ammunition inside their residence.

Also recovered during the raid were one fake PNP Identification Card with the name “PMAJ Antonio Oriento Cerbito,” one fake AFP ID with the name “Major Antonio Oriendo Cerbito” and several police and military uniforms.

It was learned that “Antonio” and “Ariel” are neither a member of the PNP and AFP.

Charges for violation of RA 10591, RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives in relation to Batas Pambansa 881 or the Omnibus Election Code, and usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code were filed against the arrested suspects.