Customs intercepts 10 more gun barrels of high-powered M14s

Bureau of Customs operatives on Tuesday seized a second batch of M14 rifle barrels from the United States, less than a week after similarly intercepting an initial batch of the gun parts.

 

In a radio interview Customs chief Rozzano Rufino Biazon said the latest batch included 10 gun barrels for M14 rifles, which he said are considered high-powered weapons.

 

"It appears may mga batches na dinadala. I'm not aware of market price of the barrel. More than the price, ang concern natin [ay ang] pinanggagamitan nito. The M14 can be configured as a sniper rifle, ang danger niyan ang ating concern," Biazon told dzBB radio.

 

When asked if the barrels were to be used for the upcoming 2013 elections, Biazon said there is no indicator of that at this time.

 

"It could be used by politicians or insurgents or even ordinary criminals," he said.

 

A separate report by dzBB's Manny Vargas said the gun barrels were intercepted at the BOC's central mail exchange center near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

 

They were consigned to a certain Miranda, who the BOC had charged for last week's shipment.

 

Last Friday, BOC operatives intercepted at least 20 barrels of a high-powered M14 military rifles that were declared as chocolates.

 

The gun barrels were placed in small boxes but were uncovered in a thorough examination at the Customs' facility in Pasay City.

 

"The gun barrels were declared as chocolates and sent by mail. This shows need for us to be vigilant even in mailed parcels," Biazon said last week. — RSJ, GMA News