Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested seven suspected members of a gun-for-hire syndicate operating in the Calabarzon region during simultaneous operations in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
PNP-CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III stated that the arrests were part of the agency’s intensified efforts to dismantle private armed groups, seize loose firearms, and neutralize crime syndicates ahead of the May 12 National and Local Elections, as ordered by PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil.
The operations, conducted by the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4-A in coordination with the Police Regional Office 4-A’s Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and the PNP Special Action Force, led to the arrest of the following suspects: alias “Eduard,” alias “Jesus,” alias “Ernie,” alias “Richard,” alias “Mark,” alias “Trixcy,” and alias “Eddie.” The suspects were apprehended in Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City.
According to Maj. Gen. Torre, “Eduard” and “Jesus” are linked to the Javier Crime Group and Caminero Crime Group, respectively—both known for involvement in gunrunning, contract killings, and other criminal activities in Cavite and Laguna.
Seized from the suspects were an M16 automatic rifle, two caliber .22 rifles, a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .22 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, a caliber .22 revolver, a silencer, various magazines, and live ammunition. Authorities also recovered plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and a weighing scale.
The arrested individuals are now facing multiple criminal charges for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), Batas Pambansa 881 (Omnibus Election Code), and the Comelec-imposed gun ban.