Police nab 8 in loose firearms crackdown in QC, Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines – Eight suspects were arrested in a crackdown on loose firearms in Quezon City and Caloocan City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the NCRPO said the operations were part of an intensified crackdown on loose firearms and armed groups in the lead-up to the 2025 elections.

Albert Etang, Jaypee Ocampo, Jhon Christopher Ramirez, and Justin Mendoza were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday following a hot pursuit operation after allegedly robbing the Kumo Kuro Restaurant on E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in Barangay Immaculate Conception, Quezon City.

The Quezon City Police District found the suspects in possession of a .45 caliber pistol and a .38 caliber revolver. They also recovered two motorcycles supposedly used in the robbery.

Meanwhile, in Caloocan City, Charles Dave Sancio, Jeffren Tomines, and Merl Vincel Arquisola were arrested on Tuesday morning after an 18-year-old male was shot and wounded in an incident on Waling Waling Street, Barangay 187.

Authorities recovered a .38 caliber revolver in a follow-up operation.

In Quezon City on Wednesday morning, police in a buy-bust operation arrested Neptale Agwanta Bernales for allegedly selling an unlicensed firearm. Officers seized a .38 caliber revolver and live ammunition.

The NCRPO said all eight will face criminal complaints for violating the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Etang, Ocampo, Ramirez, and Mendoza will also face a robbery complaint. Sancio, Tomines, and Arquisola will likewise face a frustrated murder complaint.

“Acting Regional Director PMGen. Sidney Hernia emphasized that NCRPO is fully committed to crackdown on illegal firearms and criminal activities essential to maintaining peace and security in Metro Manila,” the NCRPO said.

The gun ban for the midterm elections will take effect when the election period begins on January 12, 2025 and ends on June 11, 2025.