The leader and members of the Golden Boy Private Armed Group, a private armed group (PAG) in Central Luzon, have surrendered to authorities in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, turning over multiple firearms ahead of the 2025 elections.

The group is reportedly the only private armed group in the area. Police monitored the group closely due to security concerns, especially with the election period.

Their surrender could lead to San Antonio being removed from the COMELEC's orange category, which means an area has immediate armed threats.

“Sinurrender po nila ang mga high-power firearms kabilang na po rito ‘yung limang units ng Calibre .45 with magazines and ammunition, isang unit na Calibre .380, isang unit na 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition din, at ‘yung isang low firearm na Calibre 5.26 na baby armalite with four magazines and ammunition,” Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Director PCOL. Ferdinand Germino said.

“Ito po ay part ng ating... 100 days na preparation para sa secured and accurate national elections,” he added.

PCOL. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, Commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade, highlighted the impact of this development:

“It’s part of our efforts po sa Armed Forces of the Philippines in coordination with the Philippine National Police na in preparation din ito sa upcoming election natin, so it’s a good thing that we’ll be able to delist ‘yung isang grupo ng Private Armed Group, and then can have a more peaceful election,” he said.

From January 10 to February 8, 2025, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) served 39 search warrants, which led to the confiscation of 46 assorted firearms and the arrest of 36 individuals.

Nueva Ecija recorded the most number of operations in Region 3, while Central Luzon ranked second nationwide in the number of illegal firearms seized.

The weapons surrendered will undergo ballistic examination to check if they were used in the past.