PNP: 2 Caloocan cops arrested in buy-bust for alleged illegal firearms sale

Two active police officers assigned to the Caloocan City Police Station were arrested in a buy-bust operation on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the illegal sale of firearms, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

During a press briefing, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation was conducted around 5:30 a.m. by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Authorities arrested the two police personnel and seized a 9mm pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, magazines, ammunition, buy-bust money, mobile phones, and motorcycles.

The arrested officers and the recovered evidence were brought to the Caloocan City Police Station for documentation.

Nartatez said the arrests were part of the PNP's internal cleansing campaign aimed at removing rogue personnel from the organization.

"There is no place in the PNP for personnel who violate the law," he said, adding that administrative cases would also be filed against the two officers aside from criminal charges.

Investigators would determine whether the firearms had been used in unsolved shooting incidents and trace their registered owners.

Mobile phones recovered from the suspects would undergo digital forensic examination to determine how long the alleged illegal activity had been taking place and identify any possible accomplices.

Police said one of the arrested officers had previously faced minor administrative cases, including failure to attend command activities and submit required reports.

Nartatez said the officers would face dismissal from the service if found administratively liable. — RSJ, GMA News