NBI nabs 12 Chinese in raid in Muntinlupa exclusive village 

The National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) faced great resistance in a recent operation against individuals allegedly possessing illegal firearms in an exclusive subdivision in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Simultaneous raids were conducted on three houses suspected of harboring armed Chinese nationals. According to the NBI, the operation took a dangerous turn when reinforcements arrived to assist the targeted individuals. These reinforcements, also reportedly armed Chinese nationals, arrived in three vehicles, making it difficult for authorities to execute their mission smoothly.

"We really had a difficult time containing them, we almost resulted in drawing our firearms because they were never cooperative. We had a series of grapples until we were able to successfully contain them," said Atty. Ferdinand Manuel, the NBI agent on the case, on a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta.

During the operation, authorities recovered ten firearms, ammunition, tasers, handcuffs, and tactical vests. Investigators are now working to trace the origins of the confiscated weapons.

"We can see that these are well-built individuals, relatively young. Of the firearms seized by the NBI, some have tampered serial numbers, some are defaced. It's quite a task by the NBI to check the origin," said NBI NCR Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin.

Authorities are also looking into the background of the arrested individuals to determine possible affiliations.

"Whether they have military background, we are checking with our counterparts. Kung meron itong background, pinanggalingan, criminal group ba ito, organized crime group ba ito, syndicate, we will have to check everything and cross-check with our counterparts," Lavin added.

The arrested Chinese nationals declined to give any statements regarding the incident. Investigations are ongoing.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News