PNP forms task force to dismantle private armed groups

Acting Philippine National Police chief, PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. INQUIRER file photo / Grig Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a task force composed of Area Police Commands (APCs) to dismantle private armed groups (PAGs).

“They will coordinate the efforts of the regional offices, provincial offices, and tactical units,” Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

He did not specify the number of existing PAGs in the Philippines, but said the PNP is monitoring both active and potential armed groups nationwide.

Nartatez added that PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo will lead the task force, overseeing sub-group commanders from the five APCs: Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Western Mindanao, and Eastern Mindanao.

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APCs are offices that coordinate operations across regions within their areas of responsibility.

They were deactivated following a National Police Commission resolution last January and an order by Nartatez last Wednesday, which cited that the units were merely duplicating the functions of other PNP offices.

The PNP previously stated that the deactivation of the APCs would occur over a transition period while affected personnel are reassigned to other posts.

In a statement later on Monday, the PNP said part of the efforts against PAGs was to intensify its campaign against unregistered firearms.

The national police force said it confiscated 21,597 unregistered guns, arresting 9,044 individuals for violating the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law in operations from January 1 to October 2, 2025. /mcm /das