ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities arrested an individual for allegedly carrying an unlicensed firearm during an operation in Barangay Baliwasan Seaside, as local officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and public safety in the city.
According to the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), the suspect was apprehended at around 11:25 a.m. on June 25, 2026, at Ben Go Wharf in Barangay Baliwasan Seaside after police allegedly found him in possession of a 9mm Colt pistol without the required permit.
The suspect was presented to Mayor Khymer Olaso during a turnover at the ZCPO headquarters along Don Pablo Lorenzo Street near City Hall on the morning of June 26.
Mayor Olaso commended the ZCPO for the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of proactive law enforcement in ensuring the safety and security of Zamboanga City’s residents.
He also recognized ZCPO Director Police Colonel Fidel Fortaleza Jr. and the police personnel involved in the operation for their dedication to enforcing the law and strengthening security measures across the city.
“The city government fully supports the Zamboanga City Police Office in its continuing efforts to combat illegal firearms and other threats to public safety,” the mayor said, stressing that close coordination between the local government and law enforcement remains vital in preserving peace and order.
Police have yet to release the identity of the suspect as the filing of appropriate charges for the alleged violation of the country’s firearms law is being prepared.
The arrest forms part of the ZCPO’s intensified campaign against the illegal possession of firearms, which authorities say is aimed at preventing violent crimes and ensuring a safer environment for the public.
The city government, in partnership with the ZCPO, reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen public security, curb criminal activities, and uphold the rule of law throughout Zamboanga City.