POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — A 51-year-old man was arrested after authorities caught him allegedly selling an unlicensed high-powered firearm during an entrapment operation in Barangay Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato on June 9, 2026.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Alvin,” a resident of Barangay Cannery, was apprehended by joint operatives of the Polomolok Municipal Police Station, the South Cotabato Police Intelligence Unit, and the 1st Company of the South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company.
According to police reports, the operation was launched following intelligence information regarding the suspect’s alleged involvement in the illegal sale of firearms. During the entrapment operation, authorities caught the suspect in possession of and attempting to sell an unlicensed firearm.
The suspect was arrested for violating Republic Act No. 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, after he failed to present any legal documents authorizing him to possess or sell the firearm.
Seized from the suspect’s possession were one Colt M16 rifle, two M16 magazines, and a black backpack believed to have been used in transporting the firearm.
Police said the recovered firearm and related items were immediately confiscated as evidence and subjected to proper inventory and documentation procedures.
Following his arrest, the suspect was brought to the Polomolok Municipal Police Station for booking, documentation, and the filing of appropriate criminal charges. Authorities are also conducting a deeper investigation to determine the source of the firearm and whether the suspect has links to a broader network involved in the illegal firearms trade.
The operation forms part of the intensified campaign of law enforcement agencies against the proliferation of loose firearms, which authorities say continue to pose a significant threat to public safety and security.
Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) Acting Regional Director PBGEN Alan B. Manibog commended the operating units for the successful conduct of the operation and reiterated the police force’s commitment to suppressing the circulation of illegal weapons in communities.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang kampanya laban sa mga iligal na armas upang maiwasan ang krimen at mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa ating komunidad,” Manibog said.
The police official emphasized that sustained law enforcement operations against illegal firearms are crucial in preventing violent crimes and ensuring the safety of residents across the region.
Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting individuals involved in the illegal possession, sale, or transport of firearms as part of the government’s continuing efforts to maintain peace and order in South Cotabato and the rest of Region 12.