MIDSAYAP, COTABATO — A routine police patrol turned into a major firearms interception after authorities arrested three men and recovered 10 unlicensed firearms during an operation in Midsayap, Cotabato, on September 1, 2026.
The operation, carried out by the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the command of Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., involved the Special Operations Team of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 12 and personnel of the Midsayap Municipal Police Station.
Police said the officers were conducting patrol operations in Barangay Poblacion 5 as part of intensified anti-carnapping efforts when they encountered three vehicles that were allegedly illegally parked and causing an obstruction.
The vehicles were identified as a white Mitsubishi Montero, a gray Toyota Hilux, and a white Nissan Navara.
What initially appeared to be a traffic-related enforcement matter quickly escalated when police personnel, while approaching the vehicles for possible issuance of citation tickets, allegedly spotted a pistol openly placed near the gear shift of one of the vehicles.
The discovery prompted the officers to demand the appropriate documents authorizing the possession and carriage of the firearm. According to police, the driver allegedly failed to present the required documentation.
The three male occupants were subsequently apprehended, while the vehicles were secured as police expanded the inspection and investigation.
The arrested individuals were identified only by their ages in the police report: a 31-year-old, a 28-year-old, and a 22-year-old male, all residents of Nabalawag in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The 31-year-old and 28-year-old suspects are residents of Barangay Kadigasan, while the youngest suspect, 22, is from Barangay Kadingilan.
Ten firearms recovered
A total of 10 unlicensed firearms were recovered during the operation, including both handguns and rifles.
The seized firearms consisted of:
- Four Caliber .45 Colt pistols;
- Three Caliber .45 Armscor pistols;
- One Caliber .45 Infinity Firearms GPTX USA pistol;
- One Caliber .45 Remington pistol;
- One Elisco M16A1 rifle; and
- One Caliber 5.56 Remington Arms rifle.
Police also recovered several magazines and assorted ammunition believed to be associated with the seized firearms.
The quantity and variety of firearms recovered prompted authorities to place the suspects under further investigation while securing the weapons and other pieces of evidence for proper processing.
Authorities said the firearms, ammunition, magazines, and vehicles were placed under police custody for documentation, verification and examination, including ballistic testing, as part of the investigation.
Traffic encounter leads to firearms discovery
The operation highlighted how routine police visibility and traffic enforcement can lead to the discovery of potentially more serious public-safety threats.
The officers were initially responding to an obstruction involving illegally parked vehicles. However, the alleged open display of a firearm led them to conduct further verification, eventually resulting in the seizure of multiple firearms and the arrest of the three men.
PNP Chief PGEN Nartatez emphasized the need for police officers to remain vigilant even when performing ordinary patrol and traffic-related duties.
“Our personnel must remain alert even during routine patrols because seemingly ordinary encounters can reveal serious threats. This operation demonstrates the importance of vigilance, sound judgment, and decisive police action in keeping our communities safe,” Nartatez said.
He stressed that removing unlicensed firearms from circulation is an important component of preventing crimes and protecting communities.
“Ang pagkumpiska sa mga ilegal na baril ay mahalagang hakbang upang maiwasan ang krimen at maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad. Mananagot sa batas ang sinumang lalabag sa mga patakaran sa pagmamay-ari at pagdadala ng armas,” he added.
Suspects face firearms and obstruction charges
The three suspects are facing proceedings for alleged violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The cases will undergo the appropriate legal proceedings, while authorities continue to verify the seized firearms and establish the circumstances surrounding their possession.
Police said the recovered weapons and ammunition will undergo proper documentation and ballistic examination, while the three vehicles will remain secured as part of the ongoing investigation.
The operation forms part of the PNP’s Focused Agenda, particularly its Enhanced Managing Police Operations component, which seeks to strengthen proactive and intelligence-driven police enforcement against threats to public safety.
For authorities, the Midsayap operation underscores the value of sustained police presence and alertness on the ground. What began as an encounter involving illegally parked vehicles ultimately resulted in the removal of a significant number of unlicensed firearms from circulation.
The PNP said the continued enforcement of firearms regulations remains critical in preventing the use of unauthorized weapons in criminal activities and maintaining peace and security in communities across the country.