SAN SIMON, Pampanga – Four active-duty soldiers were arrested on Tuesday afternoon, April 8, for violating the election gun ban and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591) in San Simon, Pampanga.
The San Simon Municipal Police acted on a tip from a concerned citizen who reported being tailed for several days by a suspicious silver Toyota Innova. Police located the vehicle at a gasoline station in Barangay San Isidro. One suspect attempted to flee and drew a firearm, prompting officers to disable the vehicle by shooting its tire. A brief chase ensued before the suspects were arrested along Quezon Road. One of them was wounded and brought to a hospital.
Recovered from the suspects were two pistols—a Glock 17 and an Armscor RIA .45 caliber—multiple magazines and ammunition, two-way radios, a Nikon video camera, and various identification cards. All four were found carrying active Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) IDs.
Police Regional Office 3 Director PBGen Jean Fajardo praised the swift action of San Simon police, reaffirming the PNP’s strict enforcement of the nationwide gun ban during the election period. “The gun ban is in full force and applies to everyone—regardless of rank or affiliation,” she said.
The suspects will face criminal charges. An investigation is underway to determine possible links to other illegal activities.