By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Police has seized high-powered firearms and ammunition from a 25-year-old student in an entrapment operation in Makati City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Friday.
In a statement, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspect, who is from Quezon City, was arrested in a parking lot along Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Barangay Magallanes around 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Aberin said seized from the suspect were multiple high-powered firearms and accessories, including one 5.56 rifle model SLR-B15, one cal. 5.7 Ruger pistol, two 5.56 magazines, two 5.7 magazines loaded with 40 rounds of live ammunition, one black rifle bag used in the transaction, one black sling bag containing the Ruger pistol, one black inside holster for the Ruger pistol, 40 rounds of Cal. 5.7 live ammunition, cellphone, one PHP1,000 genuine bill as marked money, 2018 Toyota Corolla Altis, and assorted identification cards
He said the suspect was apprehended for illegal selling of firearms in violation of Republic Act 7166 and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 11067, which strictly prohibits unauthorized firearm transactions during the election period.
During the operation, policemen questioned the suspect about the legal documents authorizing the sale of firearms or a Comelec exemption, but he failed to present valid credentials.
The suspect was placed under custody of Southern Police District – Special Operation Unit for proper documentation and filing of charges.
Aberin said the forensic analysis of the confiscated firearms is underway to determine any links to previous crimes.
Gun ban violators
Meanwhile, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said the PNP has recorded 691 gun ban violators so far as of Thursday.
Most of those arrested, or 650, were civilians, followed by security guards with 22. Three government officials were also arrested, one of them elected.
Tuaño said the National Capital Region has the most arrests with 206, followed by Central Luzon with 117 and Central Visayas with 70. The number of firearms confiscated was at 692 so far.
The firearms were confiscated in the following operations: 302 police response operations, 95 anti-illegal drug operations, 75 checkpoint operations, 42 gun buy-bust operations, and 178 other law enforcement operations.
The PNP also reported conducting 186,235 checkpoint operations as of Feb. 6.
The PNP is manning Comelec checkpoints to enforce the gun ban during the election period which, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10999, is from Jan. 12 to June 11.
The 90-day campaign period for senators and party-list representatives will be from Feb. 11 until May 10. Local candidates will be allowed to campaign from March 28 to May 10. (PNA)
