NBI nabs two retired soldiers for gunrunning

Published January 11, 2014 12:58pm

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested two retired soldiers and seized a cache of high-powered firearms and bullets in a buy-bust operation in Taguig City, a television report said Saturday.

According to a report on "News TV Live," NBI agents, posing as buyers, met with two suspects identified as retired master sergeant Ernesto Tuquero and retired colonel Pablo Bigal Angeles, at an open parking area of a mall in Taguig City at past 9 p.m. Friday.

As soon as the suspects accepted the marked money from the poseur-buyers, NBI agents arrested the two, the report said.

After the arrest, authorities confirmed the lack of licenses and documents of the firearms, it added.

According to a report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali", Tuquero insisted they were not illegal gun dealers.

“Authorized gun dealer po kami kaso ang problema, pero ang mali lang, nahuli ang lisensya doon sa authorized gun dealer na pinanggalingan,” he said.

The report said the two suspects tried to sell four M-4 Bushmaster rifle with a silencer and other accessories for P150,000 each, and a sniper rifle for P220,000.

Authorities also recovered bullets in boxes marked Department of National Defense.

“Disturbing talaga iyon lalo na sa parte naming law enforcer, at ang mga nakumpiskang mga baril, high-powered ang mga ito... Nagtataka nga kami kung bakit nabibili ito sa labas noong ganyan-ganyan lang,” according to Darwin Francisco of the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division.

Both suspects will be charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Meanwhile, NBI agents are conducting a follow-up operation to track down two other suspects.

Earlier this month, the Philippine National Police said of the 1.7 million licensed firearms in the Philippines, 60 to 70 percent were issued permits based on fake documents.

Citing figures from the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, Police Chief Superintendent Louie Oppus said he has ordered an investigation into the use of fake names and addresses as well as fake neuro-psychiatric results by applicants.

He added that the PNP hopes the recently-signed Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act would give teeth to gun control campaign.

Signed by President Benigno Aquino III in May 2013, the law seeks to regulate the registration and ownership of firearms and ammunition by requiring gun owners to renew their licenses every two years. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG/JDS, GMA News

Tags: gunrunning, gunsmuggling, nationalbureauofinvestigation