2 ex-soldiers nabbed in illegal firearms sale

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) has arrested two former members of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Marines for their involvement in the sale of illegal firearms.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras,” former army member Arnel Aduca was arrested during a buy-bust operation outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on Wednesday.

“Nagpalitan po ng pera at nung illegal firearms na M16 atsaka ‘yung granada. Andoon na po sila,” Police Colonel Randy Glen Silvio, CIDG-NCR director, said.

The CIDG-NCR retrieved two M16 rifles, grenades, and magazines from Aduca. The suspect sold each gun for P120,000.

Aduca also told authorities about Arnold Padilla, his colleague and a former marine, who was also involved in the selling of illegal firearms.  Padilla was also arrested. Authorities retrieved a riot and two Magnum revolver.  Silvio said the transactions started online.

“Nag o-online selling na po sila. And during the surveillance, nagbebenta na rin sila sa Province of Nueva Ecija ng short firearms at saka sa La Union and NCR area,” he said.

The CIDG-NCR said the demand for loose firearms has begun increasing possibly in preparation for the next elections, which in the past saw private armed groups hired by politicians.

Meanwhile, both suspects did not deny that the guns and grenades retrieved by authorities were from them. They also admitted that they were former members of the military and went absent without official leave.

“Eh, kasi ‘yung classmate ko may kailangan niya daw ‘yung ano. Kaya ‘yun ang nabigay ko sa kaniya. Yes, ‘yung sundalo po,” Aduca said.

“Souvenir ko sana ‘yun kasi clear gun lang naman ‘yun tapos maliit na caliber. Eh, kailangan ko ng pera gawa ng mapuputulan ako ng kuryente ng pandemic. So pumayag ako kagabi, ibenta ko na lang,” Padilla, meanwhile, said.

Aduca said that a soldier he did not know loaned him one of the M16 while and told him to sell the other.

“Hindi ko kilala. Sundalo rin,” he said.

The suspects, who are detained in the CIDG, will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News