PBBM orders PNP to launch all-out drive vs illegal guns, PAGs ahead of ’25 polls
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has ordered all PNP units to intensify their crackdown against loose firearms and partisan armed groups (PAGs) ahead of the May 2025 elections.
The Commander-in-Chief called on the police force to continue their efforts in addressing the presence of illegal guns.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Jean S. Fajardo said that the President also instructed the police force, particularly the Bangsamoro Administrative Region Police Regional Office headed by Brig. Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz to continue their crackdown on loose firearms and PAGs in the region.
The President even said that a successful BARMM election will also somehow normalize the situation in the region.
Although potential election areas of concern in BARMM are still being subjected to validation by the Commission on Elections, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that the President called for a tighter security in the region specifically in areas where presence of intense political rivalries have been monitored.
She said that Gen. Marbil has ordered a closer watch particularly on areas where there have been some pre-election incidents involving government officials.
The PNP spokesperson also said that Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla had assured the Commander-in-Chief that the PNP and the AFP are on top of the situation to make sure that all plots to create violence during the May 12 polls will be thwarted.
Gen. Marbil said the directive is aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal guns and PAGs that could be used to create violence as the election season heats up around the country.
“This directive is designed to bolster public safety and mitigate potential violence, thereby promoting a peaceful democratic process,” he said.
Citing official statistics, the PNP said that from January 1 to November 30, 2024, there have been significant police achievements in this initiative following the arrest of 8,628 individuals for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
During the period, a total of 25,240 firearms were either confiscated, recovered or surrendered, with an additional 9,932 firearms turned over for safekeeping.
The highest number of arrests for firearms law violations were recorded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Brigadier Gen. Anthony A. Aberin with 2,033 arrests, followed by Police Regional Office (PRO)-3 in Central Luzon under Brig. Gen. Redrico A. Maranan with 979 and the PRO-7 in Central Visayas with 906.
In terms of confiscated or surrendered firearms, the PRO-7 led with 3,951 cases, followed by PRO-6 in Western Visayas headed by Brig. Gen. Jack L. Wanky with 3,023 and NCRPO with 2,175.
Meanwhile, the PRO 4-A recorded the highest number of firearms turned over for safekeeping at 2,797.
The campaign against PAGs has also seen notable progress, said Gen. Marbil with the number of active PAGs found to have decreased from six in 2023 to three this year.
Furthermore, potential PAGs have dropped from 28 to just five due to ongoing operations that have led to the delisting of 33 groups following arrests and surrenders.
“By aggressively targeting private armed groups and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation,” Gen. Marbil said.
The PNP chief urged the public to support the PNP’s initiatives and maintain vigilance during this crucial period as he reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to strategic actions that uphold peace and order leading up to the elections.
Brig. Gen. Fajardo said that in 2023, there were six active PAGs being monitored. At present, many PAGs are being monitored in some parts of Central Luzon, Western Visayas and Mindanao.
However, Gen. Marbil has ordered the PNP Directorates for Intelligence and operations to review the parameters regarding PAGs and potential PAGs.
Marbil cited the Teves Group, which has been listed as a PAG although its leader, dismissed Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is already the subject of a deportation from Timor Leste and thus, his group is deemed already lacking a leader.
