President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat – May 12, 2025 — Four individuals were arrested in a joint police and military operation early Monday morning for illegal possession of firearms and violating the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban in two neighboring provinces in Mindanao.
The coordinated law enforcement action took place around 7:50 a.m. at the Provincial Intersection in Pedtubo, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, and Barangay Poblacion in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur. It resulted in the seizure of high-powered firearms and ammunition.
The Buluan Municipal Police Station led the operation, backed by units from the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (MDS PPO), 3rd Maneuver Platoon of the 2nd Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (MDSPMFC), 43rd Special Action Company of the Special Action Force (SAF), and the 38th Infantry Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
Authorities confiscated the following items:
- Three 5.56mm assault rifles
- One .45 caliber pistol
- Fourteen 30-round 5.56mm magazines
- One 20-round 5.56mm magazine
- Two 9mm pistol magazines
- Four live rounds of 9mm ammunition
- Two hundred live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
The suspects were read their constitutional rights upon arrest and now face charges under Republic Act No. 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as the COMELEC gun ban. All confiscated items are currently in the custody of the Buluan police.
This operation forms part of the intensified efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure peace and security during the election period, especially in areas designated as election hotspots.
PBGEN Romeo J. Macapaz, Regional Director of Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), lauded the successful coordination and swift action of the operatives.
“I laud the MDS PPO operatives behind this successful operation. With PRO BAR’s commitment to suppress all forms of criminality, this operation is indeed a significant contribution to our goal of delivering a safe and orderly election in the Bangsamoro region,” he said.
The PNP reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring peaceful and credible elections, in line with the directive of Chief PNP, PGEN Rommel Francisco D. Marbil.