By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said 13 members of gun-for-hire groups were arrested in separate police operations in the provinces of Cavite and Cebu.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said seven suspects identified through aliases Eduard, Jesus, Ernie, Richard, Mark, Trixcy and Eddie were arrested in Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite on March 10.
The suspects are members of the Javier Crime and Caminero Crime Groups allegedly involved in gunrunning, contract killing and gun-for-hire activities in Cavite and Laguna.
Police operatives confiscated from them seven firearms, ammunition, and shabu.
“We will account and seize all illegal firearms and subdue and neutralize all contract killers and private armed groups across the country to ensure a safe and peaceful National and Local Election in May 2025,” Torre said in a statement.
In Cebu, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said eight suspects were arrested from Feb. 17 to March 1 as part of the Central Visayas police’s campaign to dismantle three gun-for-hire groups.
The three groups were identified as Ylaya, Tañeza, and Bano, which are behind a series of shooting incidents in Cebu.
Maranan said one suspect from the Bano Group was killed after engaging law enforcement officers in a shootout in Toledo City.
Authorities also rescued a minor from Tañeza Group who had been exploited and used in criminal activities.
Police operations led to the confiscation of nine firearms and confiscation of 166 grams of shabu worth PHP1.28 million.
“This operation underscores our firm resolve to dismantle criminal networks that endanger public safety,” Maranan said. (PNA)
