Police arrested a 34-year-old farmer and seized several firearms, ammunition and a fragmentation grenade during a search warrant operation in Alamada, Cotabato, early Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Fran,” a resident of Sitio Parayung, Barangay Guiling, was arrested at approximately 5:04 a.m. during the implementation of a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 28 in Midsayap, Cotabato.
The warrant covered alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act No. 9516, which penalizes the illegal possession of explosives.
The operation was spearheaded by the Alamada Municipal Police Station (MPS), with support from the 2nd Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company, 1203rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, RID12 Tracker Team Echo, Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, and Regional Intelligence Unit 12.
Authorities recovered a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, a steel magazine, two live rounds of ammunition, one fragmentation grenade and a caliber .38 revolver during the operation.
Police said all recovered items were inventoried and documented at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses, including a barangay kagawad, a media representative and the arrested individual, in accordance with established procedures.
The confiscated firearms, ammunition and explosive device will undergo ballistic and laboratory examinations as part of the investigation and evidence-processing procedures.
Cotabato Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Ramel B. Hojilla commended the operating personnel for the successful implementation of the search warrant, emphasizing the importance of coordinated law enforcement operations in preventing the proliferation of illegal firearms and explosives.
“Ang bawat armas at pampasabog na ating nasasamsam ay isang panganib na naiiwasan at isang hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas na komunidad,” Hojilla said.
The arrest underscores continuing police efforts to address the illegal possession of firearms and explosives, which authorities consider potential threats to public safety and community security.
The arrested individual is expected to face the appropriate charges in connection with the alleged violations, subject to the findings of the investigation and applicable legal proceedings.