Law enforcement authorities led by the Southern Police District Special Operations Unit apprehended the leader and member of the Sgt. Ivan gun running group in an entrapment operation on the illegal sale of firearms and ammunition, in connection with the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation.

PBGen. Mark D. Pespes, SPD director, identified the arrested suspects as alias Ivan (leader), 51 and alias Daryl, 40, along with driver alias Alvin, 41, who is now under investigation for his involvement with the group.

Initial operation was executed last 9 January, (arrest of alias Ivan) at 8 a.m. in front of a Korean grill restaurant in Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. A subsequent operation at 11:15 a.m. on the same day in Sampaloc, Manila led to the arrest of alias Daryl.

The successful operation stemmed from a critical intelligence provided by a confidential informant, detailing the involvement of Sgt Ivan Group in gun running activities. The group reportedly is comprised of reservists or former uniformed personnel and believed to be operating in the Southern part and nearby cities of NCR.

The entrapment operation, jointly conducted with Station Intelligence Section of Muntinlupa City police, CIDG and PS-4 MPD, was strategically planned and executed to intercept illegal transactions.

At Festival Mall Alabang, Ivan sold two ammunition boxes of 5.56mm containing an estimated 2,000 rounds after receiving marked buy-bust money. Subsequently another operation was launched particularly for the three high caliber firearms.

The transaction started in Muntinlupa City and extended to D. Tuazon, Quezon City. Daryl, aware of the situation changed the location to Bataan Street, Barangay 55, Sampaloc, near the boundary of Quezon City and Manila. Despite attempts to evade arrest, Daryl was apprehended by the team.

Recovered pieces of evidence from Ivan in Muntinlupa were P1,000 genuine bill marked money, two green colored ammunition boxes containing an estimated 2,000 rounds of green tip 5.56 ammunition, one Intelligence Service Identification Card  under the name of Ivan, while P1,000 genuine bill, one unit of Imbel Brasil caliber .45 pistol, one magazine for caliber .45 pistol, 15 live ammunition for caliber .45 pistol, black inside holster for caliber .45 pistol, one Bentley Shotgun, 35 shotgun shells, red sling bag intended as pouch for shotgun ammunition, one US Carbine with foldable butt and sling, 82 live ammunition for carbine, black pouch intended for carbine ammunition and brown sling bag.

Meanwhile, subject for verification was one Armscor Caliber .45 pistol recovered from suspect alias Daryl.

Confiscated evidence and arrested suspects were brought to DSOU-SPD for documentation and appropriate filling of cases.

Pespes said the diligent work of law enforcement in the said operation highlights their commitment to curbing illicit activities and ensuring the safety of the community.