2 ‘gunrunners’ arrested in Laguna

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Two suspected illegal gun dealers were arrested in Calamba, Laguna on Monday night.

Regie Abarquez, 25, and Abundio Alcaraz, 47, were collared in a sting in Barangay Sampiruhan, according to Lt. Col. Ganaban Ali, chief of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Calabarzon.

Police said they seized from Abarquez and Alcaraz two pistols, a grenade and ammunition.

Ali said the suspects have been under surveillance for allegedly selling loose firearms.

He said the suspects have been wanted by authorities since 2022.

Records showed that Abarquez was arrested by members of the CIDG-Laguna for murder in 2022.

He was also arrested by members of the Calamba police for homicide in October 2025.

During the 2025 police operation, a member of the Abarquez gang opened fire at the arresting team, killing a police officer and wounding two others.