Tarlac lawmaker’s property raided; 10 firearms seized

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December 7, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Two people were arrested while 10 firearms with expired licenses were allegedly seized following a raid on a property owned by a lawmaker in Concepcion, Tarlac on Friday

The raid on the property of Tarlac third district Rep. Noel Rivera in Barangay San Vicente was conducted by members of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), who were backed by Special Action Force commandos and Army soldiers.

Armed with a search warrant, the team searched the building of the 3-G Construction and Development Corp. owned by the Rivera family, and several houses located within the same compound, according to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II.

Rivera is among lawmakers tagged in anomalous flood control projects.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure earlier recommended the filing of criminal cases against Rivera and seven other lawmakers in connection with the anomaly.

The team arrested Rivera’s son-in-law, Gene, and his security aide after they were allegedly caught in possession of three firearms with expired licenses and permits, Morico said.

He said 10 firearms including a shotgun, a rifle, five pistols, two handguns and a revolver were recovered during the raid.

Hundreds of Rivera’s supporters gathered in front of the compound as news of the raid broke out.

Rivera denied he was keeping illegal firearms. He said the team found no firearms during the raid.

Rivera said he is not involved in anomalous flood control project.

He said he is ready to face the investigation to be conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding ghost projects.