Cavite: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday announced the arrest of 13 members of gun-for-hire groups in separate police operations in the provinces of Cavite and Cebu.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director, Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, revealed that seven suspects, identified through aliases Eduard, Jesus, Ernie, Richard, Mark, Trixcy, and Eddie, were apprehended in Barangay Salawag, Dasmari±as City, Cavite on March 10. The suspects are linked to the Javier Crime and Caminero Crime Groups and are allegedly involved in gunrunning, contract killing, and gun-for-hire activities in Cavite and Laguna. The police seized seven firearms, ammunition, and shabu from the suspects.

Maj. Gen. Torre emphasized the ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal firearms and neutralize contract killers and private armed groups across the country to ensure a secure National and Local Election in May 2025.

In Cebu, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, reported the arrest of eight suspects from February 17 to March 1, as part of the Central Visayas police's initiative to dismantle three gun-for-hire groups. The groups, identified as Ylaya, Ta±eza, and Bano, are responsible for a series of shooting incidents in Cebu. During the operations, one suspect from the Bano Group was killed in a shootout with law enforcement officers in Toledo City. Authorities also rescued a minor from the Ta±eza Group who had been exploited in criminal activities. The operations resulted in the confiscation of nine firearms and 166 grams of shabu valued at PHP1.28 million.

Brig. Gen. Maranan stated the operation highlights their determination to dismantle criminal networks that threaten public safety.