Two Singaporean nationals and their Filipino partner were arrested in Valenzuela City, Philippines, for illegal possession and sale of firearms on April 17, 2025, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The suspects, identified as Desmond and Louis Poh from Singapore, along with a Filipino national known only as “Mark,” were caught during a buy-bust operation in Barangay General T De Leon.
Police seized 10 loose firearms and an airsoft replica during the operation. The confiscated weapons included four light weapons — an M-15 rifle, a Garand M2 carbine, an MK-9 sub-machine gun, and an MKGs 9mm rifle — and six small arms consisting of four 9mm pistols, one .45 calibre pistol, and one .22 calibre pistol. Various magazines and live ammunition were also found.
Surveillance Operation
The arrests followed months of monitoring by Philippine authorities.
“The firearms they possessed were actually of higher quality than those they were selling,” said CIDG-DSOU Deputy Chief Michael Visco.
The CIDG reported that the suspects had been watched for an extended period after receiving tips about their illegal activities. The operation ended with a successful test-buy, where undercover agents purchased four firearms, giving them grounds for the arrests.
Tourism Cover
According to investigators, the Singaporean suspects regularly traveled to the Philippines claiming to be tourists.
“They go to gatherings, and in those gatherings, once the people are drunk enough, they brag about their guns,” Visco told GMA News Online.
The suspects reportedly joined racing events, particularly in Clark, Pampanga, where they would show off their firearms during social gatherings.
Legal Charges
All three suspects now face charges for violating Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
If found guilty, they could face up to 40 years in prison.
When approached by local media after their arrest, the two Singaporean nationals refused to comment.
Gun Ban Period
The arrests occurred during a firearms carrying ban in the Philippines, running from January 12 to June 11, 2025.
This ban was put in place to decrease election-related violence before the Philippine national elections scheduled for May 12, 2025.
The CIDG stated that seizing these weapons and arresting the suspects has significantly reduced the threat of “guns, goons, and gold” in Philippine politics.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are still investigating to determine the full extent of the operation, including identifying possible collaborators and finding the source and distribution network of the firearms.
The police are also checking whether other members are involved in the group.
All three suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
