PNP nabs alleged big-time gun runner in Cavite

by Robie de Guzman June 17, 2021 PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar IMUS, Cavite — Police authorities have arrested an individual allegedly involv...

by Robie de Guzman
June 17, 2021

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar

IMUS, Cavite — Police authorities have arrested an individual allegedly involved in the illegal sale of firearms online, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar identified the alleged gun runner as John Christian Bautista, 33, and a resident of Barangay Bucandala IV, Imus, Cavite.



Eleazar said Bautista was arrested after the Northern Police District (NPD) Special Operations Unit received information about a transaction for the sale of loose firearms in a Facebook chat group.

Upon validation of the information, police operatives then arranged a meeting with the seller for the purchase of guns at the Metropolitan Petron Gas Station along Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City at around 11:00 AM of June 15, 2021.



The entrapment operation resulted in the arrest of Bautista and the confiscation of the following firearms:
Thompson submachine gun cal .45 M1 SN 175291 with one magazine
MGV 176 Cal .22 LR SN 3037
STI 9mm with SN# KF 11205
Cobra Special Cal .38-no serial no.
Cal .40 Smith and Wesson with SN NEH 8367
Cal .45 COLT 38720

Follow-up operations by the NPD at the suspect’s residence resulted in the voluntary surrender of Bautista’s wife and the confiscation of more loose firearms:
Assault Riffle FMK F/A (Tactical) Infant
One Shotgun Mossberg T 851464
One AK SN-A 502975
One MA Carbine Cal. 5.56 MM SN 123561
One US Carbine Defaced SN
One .22 TCM SN TR008777
One Sniper Riffle SN Defaced
One Performance STR SW-SN Defaced
One Taurus SN NDX 91540
Assorted Box of Ammunition; Assorted Ammunition; Assorted Magazine

Eleazar said Bautista’s arrest would “reduce the proliferation of loose firearms and incidents of gun-related violence in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and nearby provinces.”

He also commended the efforts of local police and the public’s help in the operation.

“Malaking bagay ang tulong ng publiko upang mapanatili ng ating mga kapulisan ang kaayusan sa ating mga komunidad,” Eleazar said.