Suspected firearms supplier of Maute group arrested along NLEX

Authorities have arrested a couple suspected of supplying firearms to the Maute terrorist group and seized P1.2 million worth of guns in their possession, according to a report of GMA's "Balitanghali."

In the report, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Edgardo and Rosemarie Medel of Landville Subdivision of Barangay Pambuan, Gapan, Nueva Ecija will be facing gunrunning charges after they were caught Sunday night in possession of two assault rifles, a handgun and 12,893 rounds of live ammunition for M-60 light machine gun and M-16 assault rifle.

Albayalde said the couple was arrested at around 6:30 pm at a service station along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) while the couple was aboard a white van with plate number REV-675.  The operation was a conclusion of a week-long intelligence and surveillance efforts conducted by the regional intelligence division of the police.

Prior to the arrest of the Medel couple, they received P1.2 million worth of marked money from two undercover female operatives who posed as buyers of weapons and ammunition purportedly for the forthcoming elections next year.

According to a Balitanghali report on Monday, the suspects were found to have several  clients from the Armed Forces  of the Philippines.  The boxes storing the weapons were also emblazoned with the logo of the Armed Forces and the Philippine Army.

“I just cannot imagine the death and destruction that will result should these war materials fall into the hands of the New People’s Army,  Abu Sayyaf Group, and terror groups. Part of the continuing investigation will be to determine the source of these weapons and ammunition, and to possibly identify other persons involved in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Albayalde said.

“As the sole repository and regulating office for firearms and ammunition under Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, this contraband will eventually become among confiscated, captured, surrendered, deposited, abandoned and forfeited (CCSDAF) firearms in PNP custody," Albayalde added.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News, the Medel couple admitted to selling unregistered weapons and firearms but denied knowing their supplier and dealing with the AFP.

The Medels also denied knowing that their client was the Maute group. —Llanesca Panti/ LDF, GMA News