AWOL cop allegedly involved in gun-for-hire arrested in Binondo

A police officer who has been on absent without leave (AWOL) status was arrested in Binondo, Manila for allegedly being involved in a gun-for-hire syndicate, an Unang Balita report said Friday.

The suspect identified as Cornelio Juanitas Jr. was caught holding a gun inside the Parola Compound in Binondo, GMA News' Mav Gonzales reported.

Arestado ang isang AWOL na pulis matapos mahulihan ng iba't ibang baril at droga. Report sa @UnangHirit! pic.twitter.com/67FwzZ8yEC

— Mav Gonzales (@mavgonzales) May 18, 2017

Juanitas was previously assigned in Manila Police District Station 2 and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) before he went AWOL in 2015.

"Noong ma-sense niya na 'yung mga papalapit ay mga kapulisan, pumasok siya sa loob ng kanyang bahay. Naiwan niyang nakabukas kaya na-corner natin siya sa loob ng kanyang bahay," Supt. Amante Daro, MPD Station 11 commander, said.

"Incidentally, nakuha natin 'tong mga baril na 'to at itong gingagamit niya na paggawa ng baril. Ang assessment namin is nagma-manufacture siya o nagfa-fabricate siya ng baril," Daro added.

Seized from Juanitas were two caliber .45 gun, one caliber .38 gun, an improvised gun, a replica gun, bullets, magazines, silencer and other materials used for assembling a gun.

A sachet of alleged shabu and other drug paraphernalia were also recovered from the suspect.

Authorities are still investigating whether Juanitas is involved in a gun-for-hire syndicate and other cases.

"Bukod sa dismissed na siya sa serbisyo ay nagpapakilala pa rin na pulis. Kino-confirm natin ang report na involved rin siya sa illegal gambling activities doon sa lugar, pero wala tayong validated report na siya ay nagbebenta ng droga," Daro said.

Juanitas, for his part, refused to comment on the matter.

He will face charges in violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News