Police arrested three men and seized firearms during a raid in General Santos City on Friday, January 31, 2025.

The suspects were arrested by virtue of a search warrant. The target of the operation escaped.

Confiscated during the operation were three shotguns and a caliber .45 pistol.

One of the suspects arrested said he just dropped by and is not aware that his friend has guns hidden in the house.

“Ako, ningsuroy lang ko didto gabii kay maghulam ko og cellphone sa paryente…Tapos nagshot shot og beer ug didto ra ko natulog sa may duyan,” one of the suspects said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-SOCCSKSARGEN (CIDG-12) said it has been monitoring the target identified as alias “Commander Bato” since 2024.

“Base sa atong monitoring, nagmonitor ta ani some time in the last quarter ng 2024 pa. So diha aning lugara, daghan ni siyang mga incidents nga pagpamusil ug naay mga nagpabuto, so ang mga community mismo diha sila mismo ang nag-inform sa atoa,” CIDG-12 Deputy Regional Chief, Lt. Col. Eugene Balugo, said.

The suspects arrested may face charges for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591) and election gun ban.

Operatives are pursuing the suspect who escaped.