Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered immediate dismissal proceedings Thursday against two Caloocan City police officers arrested for selling service firearms during an early-morning sting operation.

Nartatez said the officers will face criminal charges under Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, alongside administrative summary dismissal proceedings that include the immediate withholding of their pay.

“I will dismiss these police officers, and National Capital Region Police Office Regional director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin will do the same,” Nartatez said. “Not only criminal cases but administrative cases will be filed immediately, and their salaries will be cut.”

Police identified the suspects as Police Staff Sgt. Nino Nazareno Paguirigan and Police Master Sgt. Arjay B. Terrado, both active personnel of the Caloocan City Police Station.

Operatives from the Caloocan City Police Station, led by Police Lt. Col. Rngie Deimos, arrested the two officers around 6 a.m. Thursday along Riles Compound in Barangay 5, Caloocan City, after they allegedly sold service weapons to an undercover buyer identified as Bernardo Guinto.

Authorities recovered two PNP-issued firearms intended for the transaction: a Pietro Beretta Model 92 DS 9mm pistol loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and a Taurus 9mm pistol loaded with 35 rounds across two magazines.

Police also seized a .38-caliber revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, buy-bust money consisting of one genuine P500 bill and two counterfeit P1,000 bills, two mobile phones and two unplated motorcycles.

The suspects are held at the Caloocan City Police Station pending inquest proceedings.