Authorities arrested two men in Pasay City early Sunday morning after they attempted to evade an "oplan sita" checkpoint while wearing balaclavas, resulting in a brief pursuit and the recovery of a loaded handgun and a live hand grenade.

The suspects were identified only by the alias Daniel, 23, and alias George, 20—both riders residing in Barangay 1, Pasay City.

The incident transpired around 3:35 a.m. along Roxas Boulevard corner San Juan Street in Barangay 7.

Operational elements were conducting routine checkpoint verifications when they flagged down a black Yamaha NMAX motorcycle without a license plate, occupied by two male riders wearing helmets and face-concealing balaclavas. Instead of complying, the driver suddenly accelerated the motorcycle to flee toward Buendia, prompting law enforcement elements to initiate a brief pursuit.

Police officers cornered and blocked the fleeing vehicle along San Juan Street. Upon being approached, the driver attempted to draw a concealed weapon from his waist, triggering a brief physical scuffle before officers successfully disarmed and restrained him. Simultaneously, the passenger acted suspiciously and attempted to retrieve an object from his bag, but was quickly neutralized and restrained by alert operatives.

Recovered from the possession of alias Daniel was a caliber .38 revolver loaded with six live rounds of ammunition. Seized from inside the sling bag of alias George was a live hand grenade.

The suspects are now facing formal criminal complaints for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), Republic Act 9516 (Illegal/Unlawful Possession of Explosives), and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority or its Agents).