A forest ranger and three other armed men were arrested after allegedly engaging police operatives in a firefight in Barangay San Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga on June 27.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) identified one of the suspects as alias “Ka Arlet,” a forest ranger in Barangay San Juan Bano who was previously linked to an armed group operating in Pampanga and Bulacan.
According to the PNP, the operation was launched under the command of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. following reports of indiscriminate firing in the area.
Operatives from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Pampanga were conducting casing and surveillance when they allegedly saw an armed man firing a weapon near a store.
Police said the operatives identified themselves and ordered the man to surrender, but he allegedly fired at the approaching team. Other armed men positioned inside the compound also reportedly opened fire, prompting police to use what they described as necessary and reasonable force.
After the exchange of gunfire, authorities secured the area and found one alias “Ka Arlet” and three unidentified armed men wounded. They were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for treatment and are now under police custody.
Recovered from the scene were a caliber .45 pistol, an M16 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, a caliber .38 revolver, a carbine rifle, and a hand grenade.
The Pampanga Forensic Unit processed the crime scene, while investigators are working to establish the identities of the three other suspects and determine their possible involvement in other criminal activities.
Based on police records, alias “Ka Arlet” returned to the fold of the law in 2018 after allegedly being associated with the Ka Arlet Group, also known as the Pintados Group. The group reportedly operated in Pampanga and Bulacan and had links to the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan.
“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,” Nartatez said.
“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 PNP said the operation forms part of its intensified campaign against armed threats under its Focused Agenda and Enhanced Managing Police Operations framework.
It also said it remains committed to pursuing armed lawless groups in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its campaign for a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”