Private armed group leader, two members give up guns in Nueva Ecija

The alleged leader and two members of a private armed group (PAG) have surrendered their guns to the authorities in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the firearms were turned over to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office on Friday.

“Yun pong mismong leader po nila ang nag-surrender po nito. May kasama po siyang dalawa. Sa ngayon dino-dokumento po natin lahat ito,” Fajardo said.

(It was their leader who surrendered. He has two members with him. Right now we are documenting all of this.)

“This is a good intention on the part of the leader... According to him, ito ay pagpapakita ng kanyang kusang loob na adhikain na maayos yung kanilang mga problema,” she added.

(This is a good intention on the part of the leader... According to him, this is to show his willingness to fix their issues.)

Among the surrendered weapons were caliber .45 pistols, a Colt .380 pistol, a black M16 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, several magazines, and numerous rounds of ammunition.

Currently, Fajardo said the PNP is monitoring two active PAGs in Central Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula as well as five potential PAGs in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Earlier, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil set a March 31 deadline for police commanders to dismantle all PAGs in their areas.

Despite the detection of these PAGs, Fajardo said the PNP had not monitored any moves to employ them so far ahead of Eleksyon 2025.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set from February 11 to May 10, 2025. Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for seats in the House of Representatives, provincial, city, and municipal posts will be from March 28 to May 10.

Election Day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. –NB, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.