13/10/2026
MASBATE GUN BUY-BUST YIELDS TWO FI****MS, ONE ARREST
The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief PNP, arrested a 37-year-old man and seized two fi****ms and am******on in a gun buy-bust operation in Dimasalang, Masbate, on October 11, 2026, as part of continuing efforts to curb the unauthorized sale and possession of fi****ms.
The operation was conducted in Barangay Poblacion by the Police Intelligence Unit and Dimasalang Municipal Police Station, both under the Masbate Police Provincial Office, with support from the 502nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Mike,” was arrested after allegedly selling a fi***rm to a police poseur-buyer. Recovered during the operation were a caliber .45 pistol without a serial number, a magazine containing five rounds of am******on, and a caliber 9mm automatic machine pistol fitted with a silencer, along with two additional magazines. Authorities reported that the fi****ms were not accompanied by the required legal documents.
The confiscated items will undergo the appropriate legal and forensic procedures as part of the investigation. The suspect was brought to the Dimasalang Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Chief PNP Nartatez stressed that addressing the unauthorized movement of fi****ms is an important part of protecting communities, as weapons outside proper regulatory controls can pose risks to public safety.
“Mahalaga ang bawat operasyon na nakatutulong para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng mga baril na walang kaukulang dokumento. We will continue to work closely with our partner units, follow reliable information, and make sure our actions are lawful and focused on keeping our communities safe,” PGen Nartatez said.
The operation supports the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which emphasizes intelligence-driven action, coordination among police units, and lawful enforcement. It also complements the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to maintain peace and order and protect communities from threats to public safety.
The PNP will continue working with local communities and partner agencies to address the unauthorized circulation of fi****ms, strengthen public safety, and uphold its commitment to Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)
