A forest ranger and three other suspects were arrested for indiscriminate firing at Barangay San Juan Bano in the town of Arayat, Pampanga on 27 June 2026.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the said four armed suspects were arrested during a police operation.

The arrests came after the suspects allegedly opened fire on law enforcement personnel conducting surveillance in connection with reports of indiscriminate discharge of firearms.

Joint operatives from the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and SWAT Pampanga were carrying out casing and surveillance operations when they observed an armed man firing a weapon near a store.

After identifying themselves as police officers and issuing lawful verbal commands to surrender, the armed individual instead fired at the approaching operatives.

Several other armed men positioned within the compound also engaged the police, prompting the operating team to employ the necessary and reasonable force to defend themselves in the lawful performance of their duties.

When the exchange of gunfire ended, the operating team secured the area, where alias “Ka Arlet” and three unidentified armed male individuals were found wounded. The four were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and are now under police custody.

Recovered from the crime scene were one caliber .45 pistol, one M16 rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, one caliber .38 revolver, one carbine rifle, and one hand grenade. The Pampanga Forensic Unit processed the scene, while investigators continue efforts to establish the identities of the three unidentified individuals and determine their possible involvement in other criminal activities.

Records show that alias “Ka Arlet” returned to the folds of the law in 2018 after previously being associated with the Ka Arlet Group, also known as the Pintados Group, which operated in Pampanga and Bulacan and had links with the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan. He is presently employed as a forest ranger in Barangay San Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga.

“The PNP remains resolute in confronting armed individuals who endanger public safety. Our personnel will continue to enforce the law with courage, professionalism, and respect for human rights in every operation,” said PGEN Nartatez.

“Hindi kami mag-aatubiling kumilos laban sa sinumang gumagamit ng dahas at lumalabag sa batas. Walang puwang ang karahasan sa ating mga komunidad,” he added.

The successful operation reflects the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic framework for organizational transformation designed to make police service more responsive, accountable, and community-centered. Guided by its key priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, the PNP continues to strengthen intelligence-driven operations against armed threats while ensuring that every police action remains lawful and professional.

As the PNP intensifies intelligence-driven operations against armed lawless groups under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it remains steadfast in assuring the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”