By: Glen Jacob Jose

Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have arrested two ex-police officers wanted for violation of RA 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition in separate operations in the province of Pangasinan and Rizal. 

In a statement Sunday, Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), identified the suspect as  SPO1 Armando Arenas Junio Jr, a dismissed. A former member of Quezon City Police District, Station 6 Batasan, was arrested by the members of the IMEG and Pangasinan Police Provincial Office operatives by Search Warrant last  August 2 at Brgy. Tambac, Bayambang, Pangasinan. 

?"The dismissed policeman was reported for indiscriminate firing whenever he is under the influence of liquor and still introducing himself as cop. The suspect was arrested and was brought to Bayambang PS. The search was done in an orderly manner which was witnessed by the barangay officials," Nacion said. 

?Confiscated during the search was one cal 45 pistol with defaced serial number, an inserted magazine containing eight live ammunition for cal 45,  one mag assembly for cal 9mm, and 16 pieces of shell for cal 9mm. 

The arrested suspect is now under the custody of Bayambang Municipal Police Station for documentation and eventual case filing.

 ?Meanwhile, IMEG operatives and Taytay, Municipal Police Station personnel, initiated another search warrant that led to the arrest of retired PNP personnel identified as Pat Ephraim Ferrer Jr last August 4 at Blk 41 Sampaguita St., Lupang Arenda, Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal.

 ?Nacion said that Ferrer is responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs (shabu) and protector of drug personalities operating in the areas of Barangay Pinagbuhatan Pasig City and C6, Taytay. He is also involved in carnapping, gun-running, and carrying unlicensed firearms. 

The arrested suspect was brought to Taytay, MPS, for documentation and proper disposition.

 Confiscated during the search was one unit ARMSCOR pistol caliber 40, four pieces of the magazine of cal. 40, assorted live ammunition, one part of M16 magazine containing live ammunition, and three boxes of live ammunition for M16.

"We are fully committed to leading the PNP's Internal Cleansing Programs to purge our ranks and identify rouge PNP members whether they are active, retired, or dismissed from the service," said Nacion.