A 46-year-old farmer was arrested after authorities served a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Authorities found a caliber 5.56 Colt Ar-15 M16 rifle and a 9mm submachine gun under a bed when the operating team searched the suspect’s house in Barangay Kitabog on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
According to the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, several ammunition and magazines were also confiscated during the operation.
The suspect reportedly told the police that he bought the guns for protection while tending to ducks on his farm. However, the firearms were unregistered.
“Yung mga gamit na nahuli natin sa kanya, yung mga baril, proteksyon daw sabi niya noon nung may farm pa siya ng bibe. Hindi na siya na-register kaya nag-expire,” Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Lt. Gina Magnaye, said.
Police said the arrest of the suspect was the result of an intelligence report, and he had been previously warned under the police’s Oplan Katok program but did not surrender.
“Kahit na isinailalim na natin siya sa Oplan Katok, pero this time, di pa rin niya sin-urrender,” Magnaye added.
The suspect may face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591).
Authorities urged the public to surrender loose firearms.
“The PNP is on the strict implementation. Dapat i-surrender na nila sa nearest police stations or sa kakilala nila for them to assist para hindi po matulad nito na ma-isyuhan ng search warrant,” Magnaye said.
