Armed men with military IDs nabbed in Pampanga
Pampanga map. INQUIRER FILES
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Four men carrying Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) identification cards, two of them armed, were arrested Tuesday in San Simon, Pampanga.
In a statement issued Wednesday night, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) said the four alleged soldiers were apprehended after a man reported that a silver Toyota Innova had been following him between Valenzuela City and San Simon over the past five days.
At 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, local police located the vehicle near the Global Aseana Business Park 1 in Barangay San Isidro.
“Responding officers found the vehicle at a gasoline station. As they approached and identified themselves, one of the suspects drew a firearm and attempted to flee. Police were forced to shoot the vehicle’s tire to prevent their escape,” PRO3 stated.
Despite this, the suspects continued to flee but were eventually intercepted and arrested along Quezon Road in the same village.
“One of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” PRO3 added.
Police said they confiscated the following items from the suspects: a 9mm Glock 17 pistol (serial number AFP034202) with a magazine containing two live bullets; a .45 caliber Armscor RIA pistol (serial number 037124AFP) with a magazine containing seven live rounds; two 9mm magazines; three .45 caliber magazines with a total of 22 live bullets; four two-way radios; a Nikon video camera; four AFP IDs; and four driver’s licenses.
The vehicle used by the suspects was also impounded.
Authorities said the suspects are facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in connection with the nationwide gun ban currently enforced under the Omnibus Election Code.
“The gun ban is in full force and applies to everyone—regardless of position, rank, or affiliation. Uniformed personnel are not exempt. We will not allow anyone to compromise public safety, especially during the election period,” said PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
She added that an investigation was ongoing “to uncover the full scope of their actions and any potential links to other criminal activities.” INQ
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