A police operation to entrap sellers of alleged fake gold in Sitio Pidpid, Barangay Manuali in Porac, Pampanga turned into a gunfight after armed men opened fire at authorities.

Undercover officers from the Porac Municipal Police Station (MPS) posed as buyers during the transaction.

Before the exchange, more suspects emerged from tall grass nearby and fired at the operatives.

The authorities retaliated, leading to the arrest of four suspects.

"'Yung transaction po natin, hatinggabi po kaya pagdating pa lang po namin sa area, papunta pa lang po ‘yung bibili natin doon ay nagpaputok na po sila kasi ‘yun na po ‘yung [modus] nila para takutin ‘yung tao at iwanan ‘yung pera," PLTCOL. Samuel Quibete, Chief of Police of Porac MPS, said.

Authorities recovered a piece of fake gold, boodle money, a revolver, a shotgun, ammunition, a grenade, a jungle bolo, and other equipment from the suspects.

Other individuals involved in the crime remain at large.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects were also involved in a stabbing incident in Baguio City on March 11, 2025.

"Mayroon po silang naka-transaksyon from Baguio City. Wherein, nahikayat nila na pumunta dito sa Porac para ibenta ‘yung mga gold nila na fake. Nangyari po during transaction, medyo bundok na po ‘yung area," Quibete said.

"Upon arrival ng mga victim doon dala ‘yung pera, after po nilang binilang ‘yung pera doon na po sila nag-declare sila, inagaw na po nila ‘yung pera at saka sinaksak po ‘yung victim," Quibete added.

Police urged the public to be cautious when buying gold and to ensure transactions are conducted through legitimate dealers.