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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP probes possible larger criminal group behind Caloocan cops' gunrunning activity

PNP probes possible larger criminal group behind Caloocan cops' gunrunning activity

Published Aug 7, 2026 06:10 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine National Police said it will investigate whether the two Caloocan police officers arrested for alleged gunrunning are connected to a larger criminal network or previous shooting incidents.
  • PNP Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the National Capital Region Police Office to examine the recovered firearms, which included two PNP-issued pistols, a .38-caliber revolver and a 12-gauge shotgun.
  • The two officers, a 32-year-old police staff sergeant and a 39-year-old police master sergeant, face dismissal as well as criminal and administrative charges.
(File photo)
(File photo)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed Friday, Aug. 7, that it was checking whether the firearms seized from two Caloocan City police officers could link them to a wider criminal network or previous shooting incidents.
PNP Chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered an in-depth investigation and background check on a 32-year-old police staff sergeant and a 39-year-old police master sergeant from the Caloocan City Police Station following their arrest in a buy-bust operation for allegedly selling various firearms, including two PNP-issued guns.
He also directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to subject all recovered firearms to ballistic examination to determine whether the weapons were used in previous shooting incidents and help trace their ownership.
“There is no place in the PNP for personnel who abuse their authority or violate the law. If you choose to engage in criminal acts, you will be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted,” Nartatez said.
The two active-duty officers assigned to the Caloocan City Police Station were arrested inside a compound in Barangay 5, Caloocan City on Aug. 6 after allegedly selling firearms to a civilian poseur-buyer.
Nartatez said investigators were looking into the motive behind the alleged sale of firearms, particularly amid reports of violent crimes in different areas.
He said the investigation would establish whether the suspects had links to a wider criminal network or were involved in other unlawful activities.
“Our internal cleansing program will continue without fear or favor, and we will hold every erring police officer fully accountable. In this particular case, we are checking if these arrested personnel are part of a larger criminal group,” Nartatez said.
Police recovered two PNP-issued pistols from the suspects as well as a.38-caliber revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, various ammunition, the marked buy-bust money, two mobile phones, and two motorcycles.
The PNP said the two officers would face dismissal from the service as well as criminal and administrative charges.
“I also ordered the immediate filing of administrative cases, in addition to the appropriate criminal charges, against those involved,” Nartatez said.

Related Tags

PNP gunrunning Caloocan criminal group Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
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