Grab driver held, 2 slain in Bulacan for gunrunning

STA. MARIA, Bulacan — A driver for the ride-hailing service Grab was arrested while his two companions were killed in a sting for illegal firearms Tuesday.

Ed de Guzman, the alleged leader of the gunrunning syndicate, was arrested during the operation here led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Metro Manila District Field Unit.

The suspects received P150,000 for the purchase of an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, and two.38 caliber revolvers from an undercover police officer.

His two companions, identified only as Johan and Kojack, were riding motorcycles when they were killed in an alleged running gun battle along McArthur Highway, police said.

Police said De Guzman, who was also working as a Grab driver, was out on bail on a drug charge in Bulacan.

Police recovered a loaded .45 automatic rifle, two .38 caliber revolvers, a hand grenade and 100 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from the suspects.