A 57-year-old farmer was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Friday morning, May 15, 2026, after authorities seized an unlicensed pistol from his residence in Cebu City. The suspect, identified as Jeremias Montes Estores Sr., resides in Purok 4, Barangay Cambinocot, a mountain barangay in Cebu City.
The CIDG Mandaue City Field Unit executed a search warrant at Estores' home from 6:20 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. The warrant was issued by Judge Anacleto Debalucos, executive judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in Cebu City.
During the operation, CIDG operatives recovered a .45-caliber pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition in its magazine. Estores failed to present any documentation for the firearm, according to authorities.
The CIDG stated that they had received complaints from neighbors alleging that Estores was carrying an unlicensed gun. Following these reports, the unit placed Estores under surveillance and subsequently applied for a search warrant after verifying the complaints. The warrant was approved on May 12, 2026.
Estores will face charges for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The CIDG noted that the operation is part of Oplan Paglalansag Omega, its flagship campaign targeting loose firearms.
