Joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and several police and military support units arrested four individuals during a firearms buy-bust operation in Midsayap, Cotabato on Saturday, May 30, authorities said.
The operation, conducted under “Oplan Paglalansag Omega,” took place at around 1:10 p.m. in Barangay Villarica, where the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of selling high-powered firearms to an undercover police operative acting as a poseur-buyer.
Authorities identified one of the arrested suspects by the alias “Basti,” while the identities of the other suspects were withheld pending the filing of formal charges.
The buy-bust operation was spearheaded by the CIDG Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit in coordination with the Philippine National Police units from Midsayap Municipal Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14A, CIDG Cotabato City, Regional Intelligence Unit-15, Provincial Intelligence Team of Maguindanao del Norte, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Cotabato Provincial Police Office.
Seized from the suspects were one caliber 7.62mm M14 rifle and two caliber 5.56mm M16 rifles, which authorities said were being sold illegally in violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Also confiscated during the operation were four bundles of boodle money, one genuine ₱1,000 bill used as marked money, two assorted cellular phones, an empty sack, a gray garment, and a metallic gray Toyota Vios sedan bearing plate number AHA 8194 allegedly used in the transaction.
Police operatives immediately conducted an inventory of the recovered evidence at the scene in the presence of required witnesses, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
The arrested individuals were informed of their constitutional rights before being transported to the CIDG Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit office for documentation and proper disposition.
Authorities said the suspects are facing charges for violation of Section 32 of Republic Act No. 10591, which penalizes the unlawful sale, acquisition, disposition, or possession of firearms and ammunition.
Police Colonel Ramel B. Hojilla, Acting Provincial Director of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, commended the operating teams for the successful operation, emphasizing the continuing campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the region.
“This operation reflects the commitment of the Philippine National Police to maintaining peace and order and preventing illegal firearms from falling into the hands of criminal elements,” Hojilla said.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Niño Lope M. Briones, Acting Regional Chief of CIDG RFUBAR, also lauded the participating units for their professionalism, coordination, and effective execution of the operation.
Authorities said the successful implementation of Oplan Paglalansag Omega highlights CIDG’s intensified efforts to dismantle illegal firearms networks and strengthen community security across Central Mindanao.