An alleged abduction in Pavia, Iloilo turned out to be an entrapment operation against illegal firearms. 

Residents in Barangay Cabugao Sur, Pavia, Iloilo heard a gunshot past 6 p.m. on February 23, 2026.

According to the Pavia Police, a red car blocked a man riding on his bicycle. The biker grappled reportedly with the persons who blocked him, until a gunshot rang.

The biker was allegedly taken into a vehicle forcibly. Bloodstain was seen on the bicycle.

"Lahat na hospital sa city at sa Sta. Barbara at sa may Ungka, nag-coordinate tayo. Negative ang feedback sa mga hospital na walang dinala na biktima,” said Captain Ritz Field Presquito, officer in charge of Pavia Municipal Police Station.

After 15 minutes, or at 6:40 p.m., an alleged abduction of a woman outside of a convenience store in Barangay Purok 3, Pavia, Iloilo was reported.

Bystanders attempted to help the woman reportedly, but the man introduced himself as a “police.”

“May sasakyan na maroon at pula. Lumapit ang mga kasamahan ko tapos sabi nila, Sir, walang problema kasi pulis ito,” alias “Mark,” a witness, said.

Earlier, Pavia Police focused tightly on the connection of the two individuals in the illegal drugs, as the two had previous records for illegal drug trade.

“Na-subject siya (lalaki) ng 2013 tapos 2017 siya lumabas. Nang nakalabas na siya, wala na siya sa drug list namin,” according to Barangay Cabugao Sur Chairwoman Lalaine Caña. 

The barangay chairwoman of Purok 4 has also confirmed of the woman's police record. 

“2024 nahuli siya (babae) together with her friend sa Barangay Anilao. Pinalabas siya noong 2025 at manganganak na siya,” Barangay Purok 4 Chairwoman Juvy Jaleco said.

However, it turned out that the pinpointed suspects are operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Iloilo who conducted a legitimate operation.

CIDG clarified that it was not a drug buy bust but an operation against illegal firearms.

The subject of the operation is Barangay Cabugao and 45-year-old Mark Alarcon.

A 38-caliber revolver, P100 buy-bust money, and P3,400 boodle money were confiscated from Alarcon.

Further, it was pointed out that Alarcon was not shot, but one of the operatives.

The operative hit his foot in an incident of accidental discharge of his service firearm.

“Nag-declare kami na pulis kami, ang scenario, parang nagpambuno, matagal siya. Before nag-accidental firing, marami nang sugat at gasgas. Pag-secure na namin sa subject na si Mark, dinala na lang namin for security reasons,” said Lt. Job Lujan, deputy chief of CIDG Iloilo-Guimaras.

Alarcon is taken into the custody of CIDG Iloilo and will be charged for illegal possession of firearms.

“Nahihiya ako para sa pamilya ko. Sana maintindihan niyo lang. Sorry sa problema na ibinigay ko,” Alarcon said.

Gene Stephanie Guillem, the woman who was taken into the vehicle near the plaza in Pavia, is also a subject of the entrapment operation. However, she was sent home immediately as no firearms were found in her possession.

“Mayroon siyang transaksyon sa aming confidential agent. Kaya lang parang nag-resist siya na parang nag-react siya,” Lujan said.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 verified that there was no abduction, but a quarrel ensued between the woman and her ex-boyfriend.

CIDG defended by saying there is proper coordination with Pavia Police prior to the operation. But according to Pavia Police, it was already 11 p.m. when CIDG coordinated with them.