MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — Two individuals were arrested while three firearms, including two high-powered rifles and a Philippine National Police (PNP)-issued pistol, were recovered during a successful entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) in Barangay Cabingan, Marawi City, on June 29, 2026.
Authorities identified the arrested suspects as Jubidi Andul Jalil, 33, a resident of Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, and Norsally Manarondong Barat, 35, a resident of Marawi City.
The operation was spearheaded by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit–Special Operations Group (RDEU-SOG), with support from the Provincial Special Operations Group of Lanao del Sur, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A, 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Company, Provincial Mobile Force Company, Marawi City Police Station, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.
Police said the suspects were apprehended for violating Section 32 of Republic Act No. 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, following the successful execution of an entrapment operation targeting the alleged illegal sale of firearms.
According to authorities, a police operative acting as a poseur-buyer successfully negotiated and completed the transaction using boodle money topped with genuine currency amounting to ₱300,000, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspects.
Recovered from the operation were two Elisco caliber 5.56 rifles, one Pietro Beretta caliber 9mm pistol confirmed to be government-issued and identified as PNP property, the buy-bust money, packaging materials, and one black Toyota Hilux believed to have been used in the transaction.
Following their arrest, the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and taken into the custody of the Marawi City Police Station for proper legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, all confiscated firearms and other pieces of evidence were turned over to the Lanao del Sur Provincial Forensic Unit for documentation, examination, and proper disposition as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police are also looking into the origin of the recovered firearms, particularly the PNP-issued Beretta pistol, to determine how it came into the possession of the suspects and whether it is linked to previous criminal activities or incidents involving missing government-issued firearms.
Police Brigadier General Christopher M. Abecia, Regional Director of PRO-BAR, lauded the operating units for the successful operation, describing it as another significant accomplishment in the campaign against the proliferation of loose and illegal firearms in the Bangsamoro region.
“The successful operation reflects the dedication and close coordination of our operating units in preventing illegal firearms from falling into the hands of criminal groups. We remain committed to intensifying our law enforcement efforts to ensure peace, security, and public safety throughout the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” Abecia said.
The operation forms part of the PNP’s intensified drive against illegal firearms, which authorities believe are frequently used in violent crimes, armed conflicts, and other criminal activities in the region.