PNP cracks down on private armed groups, loose guns

MANILA, Philippines —  To ensure the safe conduct of the 2025 midterm elections, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday ordered an intensified crackdown on private armed groups (PAGs) and unlicensed firearms.

Marbil issued the directive to boost public safety and mitigate potential violence in next year’s elections.

“By aggressively targeting PAGs and the illegal firearms they use, we are dismantling their capacity for violence and intimidation,” Marbil said.

PNP data showed that up to 8,628 people were arrested for violating the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30. Of the number, 2,033 are from Metro Manila followed by 979 in Central Luzon and 906 in Central Visayas.

Police said 3,951 of the firearms were from Central Luzon, 3,023 from Western Visayas and 2,175 from the National Capital Region.