SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — Police authorities in the Soccsksargen region intensified their campaign against loose and illegally possessed firearms following separate operations in South Cotabato that resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of firearms and live ammunition.
The operations, conducted between September 15 and 18, 2026, formed part of the Police Regional Office 12’s (PRO 12) continuing efforts to curb the proliferation of unregistered or illegally possessed firearms and prevent their potential use in criminal activities.
Search warrant operation in Tupi
On September 15, police personnel in Tupi, South Cotabato, implemented a search warrant in connection with an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The operation led to the arrest of a man identified by police as alias “Tapan.”
Authorities recovered a homemade 12-gauge shotgun along with assorted live ammunition during the search.
The seizure adds to law enforcement concerns over the continued circulation of improvised and unauthorized firearms, particularly those that can potentially be used without proper registration or licensing.
The recovered firearm and ammunition were taken into police custody for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings.
Two arrested after police patrol intercepts them in Tantangan
Three days later, at approximately 1:35 a.m. on September 18, police officers conducting a mobile patrol and police-presence operations along the National Highway in Barangay Poblacion, Tantangan, South Cotabato, arrested two men after one was allegedly caught carrying a firearm while both were found in possession of live ammunition.
The suspects were identified as alias “Kiro,” 30, and alias “Odong,” 21, both residents of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.
According to police, officers noticed the two men pushing a motorcycle along the highway. When the patrol officers approached them, alias “Kiro” allegedly suddenly drew a firearm from his waist.
The responding police personnel immediately subdued and arrested him.
A subsequent search reportedly resulted in the recovery of a Colt .45-caliber pistol with a loaded chamber, a steel magazine containing four live .45-caliber rounds, and three additional live rounds from Kiro.
Police also allegedly recovered two live .45-caliber ammunition from Odong.
The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights following their arrest.
Police said the seized firearm and ammunition were properly marked, photographed, and inventoried at the scene in the presence of Barangay Kagawad Donato Bello. The suspects and recovered items were subsequently brought to the Tantangan Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Both men are expected to face appropriate charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591, subject to further investigation and legal proceedings.
Continuing campaign against loose firearms
The separate arrests underscore the continuing police campaign in South Cotabato and across the Soccsksargen region against the possession and circulation of unauthorized firearms.
For law enforcement authorities, the recovery of both homemade and commercially manufactured firearms, together with live ammunition, remains a significant public-safety concern because illegally possessed weapons can potentially be used in shootings, armed confrontations, intimidation, and other criminal activities.
The latest operations also highlight the role of routine police visibility and mobile patrols in detecting individuals allegedly carrying firearms outside lawful authorization.
Police authorities continue to remind the public that the possession, acquisition, manufacture, or use of firearms and ammunition must comply with existing Philippine firearms regulations.
The cases involving “Tapan,” “Kiro,” and “Odong” remain subject to the appropriate legal process, and the allegations against the suspects have yet to be finally determined by a court.