2 more “guns-for-hire” arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Two more alleged members of the notorious Naderagun-for-hire group were arrested Monday by police operatives in Sitio Paradise 3, Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City.

The suspects were identified as alias Rostom, 25, a resident of Barangay Kinasang-an, and alias Kian, 18, from Middle Tabucanal, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City. A witness positively identified the two as accomplices of alias Jerson, another member of the Naderagroup the police arrested recently.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, Deputy City Director for Operations and spokesperson of Cebu City Police Office,Rostom and Kian acted as spotters for Jerson, who allegedly shot alias Rodolfo on March 22, 2025.

The arrests follow the recent presentation of other members of the Naderagun-for-hire group and the Gidogun-for-hire group to the media. PRO-7 regional director Police Brigadier General RedricoMaranan said these groups were responsible for 10 shooting incidents in Cebu.

The three suspects previously presented to the media were identified as alias Wilfredo, 23, from SitioCamagong, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, and the leader of the Nadera group; alias Jerson, 25, from Paradise 2, Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City; and alias Garan, 38, from Paradise 2, Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City, a member of the Gido group. The leader of the Gido group remains at large.

“So tuloy-tuloyangginawanating follow up diyan at silanga ay napapuntanasaatingmgakamay, nahulinanatin at kasalukuyanginaayosnatinangdemandangsaganun ma inquest natinsila,” Maranan said during a press conference.

In the same press conference, CCPO Acting Director Colonel Enrico Figueroa highlighted the collaboration between these groups.

“Pa minsan-minsannagsasabwatansaibangtrabaho so angnangyayariyungibanggruponahindinakaka accomplish doonsakanilaangtrabahobinibigay,” Figueroa said.

Maranan revealed that most victims of these groups were involved in illegal drugs and failed to remit drug proceeds.

“Sa ngayonhindinamandapatmagbigayng undue alarm sapagkathulinanganatinyannamanangtrabahong PNP... we want to prevent all crimes but dahilngahindinamankayanglagyanng police every nook and cranny of this biggest city, the most populated city... angsunodnatingginagawadiyanpag may krimennanangyayari is then we solve it immediately, we arrest the perpetrators, we file cases, we put him in jail. So, yunangatingginawa and the series of operations that we have launched, we have arrested them, we will put them behind bars,” Maranan said.

Recovered from the three suspects were homemade or "paltik" guns sourced from Danao City. Alias Garan admitted to working as a gunman for 16 years, while alias Wilfredo joined the Nadera group last year. Police alleged that Wilfredo had killed seven people, though he claimed he only killed three.

The suspects admitted to being paid between P30,000 to P60,000 per target, but the amount was divided among the team, including the getaway motorcycle driver.

Maranan expressed optimism that more members from these groups would be arrested soon.

 “For the meantime, with the arrest of these three suspects alone, shooting incidents in Central Visayas, especially in Cebu, will lessen,” he added.

Additionally, Maranan issued a directive to the Chief of Police of Danao City to curb the proliferation of homemade guns within one month. — (FREEMAN)