By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

BUSTED. The two suspected gunrunners arrested by joint police-military officers at a checkpoint in Barangay Pasonanca, Zamboanga City on Thursday night (Feb. 26, 2026). Confiscated from them were three high-powered firearms. (Photo courtesy of ZCPO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the illegal sale of firearms following a chase Thursday night in this city, police said.

In a report Friday, Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, identified the arrested suspects by their aliases, Sambulawan, 23, and Abas, 33, both residents of Cotabato City.

The suspects were arrested around 10:18 p.m. Thursday along Zamora Road, Barangay Pasonanca.

Fortaleza said ZCPO Station 7 immediately established a checkpoint following coordination with ZCPO’s intelligence unit about a car suspected of transporting firearms.

“The suspects disregarded the joint police-military checkpoint, leading to a chase. When they reached Zamora Road, officers at another checkpoint successfully stopped and arrested the suspects,” he said.

Seized from the suspects were two M-14 rifles and a caliber 5.56 mm rifle.

Initial investigation indicated that the suspects were supposed to transact with a prospective buyer in one of the barangays on the city’s east coast.

The suspects are detained pending investigation and charges. (PNA)