MANILA— Authorities arrested 12 Chinese nationals in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday for possessing illegal firearms and for resisting arrest.

According to a report from the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR), the operation followed a request from local officials of a gated subdivision who suspected that Chinese nationals were using three houses there for illicit activities.

2 Thais arrested in Muntinlupa over suspected spying device, firearms

NBI-NCR agents validated the information through surveillance and casing operations before applying for search warrants, which were approved by Judge Liezel Aquitan, executive judge of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

During the operation, authorities recovered multiple firearms, including pistols, along with magazines, ammunition, taser guns, bulletproof vests, tactical knives, handcuffs, and various identification cards.

They also seized two vehicles containing firearms.

The suspects were presented for inquest proceedings and face charges under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as for Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority.

The arrest comes as the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued an advisory for Chinese citizens in the country over what it called “unstable public security”.

The embassy also told Chinese nationals to “beware of falling into security traps and snares” and asked Chinese tourists to “conduct risk assessments and make prudent travel decisions”.

Malacañang on travel advisory: Government not targeting Chinese nationals in PH

The Palace has reassured China that the Philippine government is not targeting Chinese nationals.

“Lahat ay welcome except kapag gumagawa ng krimen iimplement po natin ang batas,” Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office said Wednesday.

(All are welcome except those who commit crime. In which case, we will implement the law)