MANILA, Philippines—Authorities arrested three individuals for allegedly trading unlicensed firearms, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Sunday.

The arrest happened during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Pampanga Provincial Field Unit and the Mexico Municipal Police Station on June 12, 2025.

The operation took place in front of the parking area of SM City Pampanga in Barangay Lagundi, Mexico, Pampanga. The suspects, identified only as “Bryan,” “John,” and “Basti,” were caught in the act of delivering and selling firearms arranged through an online transaction, police said.

Confiscated from the suspects were a caliber 5.56 AK2000P rifle, a .45 caliber Auto-Ordnance submachine gun (Tommy Gun), several magazines, live ammunition, mobile phones, and identification cards bearing their names.

The report on the operation has been submitted to CIDG Officer-in-Charge Police Brigadier General Rolindo Suguilon, who commended the swift response of the Pampanga field unit and the local police.

“This remarkable accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to preventing crime and enforcing the law with urgency,” Suguilon said.

The CIDG said it will continue to intensify its crackdown on loose firearms, criminal gangs, and potential private armed groups in line with the directive of PNP Chief Police General Nicolas D. Torre III to deliver swift and responsive public service.