TWO dismissed policemen were arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said on Sunday.

“This is part of our stepped-up internal cleansing program aimed at arresting active, dismissed or suspended police personnel who are wanted for involvement in illegal, corrupt and abusive activities,” the top cop said.

Azurin identified the suspects who were arrested by members of the PNP-IMEG headed by Brigadier Gen. Samuel C. Nacion as dismissed Senior Police Officer 1 Armando Junio Jr. and retired Patrolman Ephraim Ferrer Jr.

He said that Junio, a former member of the Quezon City Police District Station 6 was collared by officers from the IMEG and the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office who raided his house in Barangay Tambac in Bayambang municipality around 4:45 a.m. last Tuesday.

The raid was conducted on the strength of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 issued by a local court.

​“The subject dismissed policeman has been reported by his neighbors to have the habit of firing his gun indiscriminately while under the influence of liquor and at the same time introducing himself as a police officer,” said Nacion.

Recovered during the raid at the ex-cop’s house were a caliber .45 semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number and a magazine containing eight live ammunition, one 9mm magazine assembly and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The suspect is now being held at the Bayambang Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, members of the IMEG Counter-Intelligence Division, joined by officers from the Taytay Municipal Police Station arrested Ferrer past 9 a.m. last Thursday inside his house at Block 41, Sampaguita Street in Lupang Arenda, Bgy. Sta. Ana in Taytay.

Recovered inside the suspect’s residence were oa cal. 40 pistol with four magazines containing several live ammunition, one M-16 magazine and three boxes of live cal. 5.56 ammunition.

Nacion said they have received reports that the suspect is involved in illegal drug trafficking and is allegedly protecting drug personalities in Bgy. Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and in C-6, Taytay.

“He is also believed to be involved in car theft and gunrunning in Taytay,” said the official.

The suspect was locked up at the Taytay police jail while charges for violation of RA 10591 are being readied against him.

​ “We are fully committed to leading the PNP internal cleansing program aimed at purging our ranks of rogue police personnel, whether they are active, retired or dismissed from the police service,” said Nacion.