Operatives of the Northern Police District (NPD) arrested two active police officers assigned to the Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) in a buy-bust operation over the alleged illegal sale of firearms in Caloocan City.
The operation was conducted on Thursday, August 6, at around 5:30 a.m., along Riles Compound in Barangay 5, Caloocan City, with support from the CCPS Intelligence Unit, Intelligence and Detective Management Section (IDMS), and several police sub-stations.
Police said the suspects were arrested after allegedly completing the sale of firearms to a civilian poseur-buyer.
Seized from the suspects were two Philippine National Police-issued 9mm pistols, a .38-caliber revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, several magazines and rounds of live ammunition, marked buy-bust money, two cellular phones, and two motorcycles.
The confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic examination to determine whether they were used in previous shooting incidents.
Investigators will also trace the ownership and origin of the recovered weapons.
The two officers will face charges for alleged violations of Sections 28 and 29 of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
NPD Acting District Director Brig. Gen. Benliner Capili said the incident should serve as a warning to police commanders and supervisors to remain vigilant against personnel who may become involved in illegal activities.
“This incident should serve as an eye opener to all of us – that the vulnerability/possibility of our personnel to engage in illegal activities is very high if we will put our guards down,” Capili said.
He also reminded chiefs of police and unit commanders to strengthen counterintelligence efforts and other interventions to prevent similar incidents that could tarnish the image of the NPD and police stations in the Camanava area.
“Personnel committing the same offense shall face maximum administrative sanction, while their immediate superior or supervisor shall be held accountable under the Doctrine of Command Responsibility,” Capili said.
Administrative cases will also be filed against the two police officers as the investigation continues.