2 suspects previously arrested for fake links with First Family nabbed for explosives, firearms

Two suspects who were previously arrested for claiming they had connections with the First Family were apprehended by police in Parañaque City for the illegal possession of explosives and firearms.

In his report in Super Radyo dzBB, Carlo Mateo said Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group head P/Brigadier General Eleazar Matta said they seized a block of C-4 Explosive, guns, ammunition, knives, handcuffs and three bullet-proof vests from the suspects.

During a press briefing, Matta said HPG personnel flagged down a black sport utility vehicle with no rear license plate and using unauthorized blinkers along Filipinas Avenue last Friday. A closer inspection revealed the contraband inside the vehicle.

The suspects were arrested after they failed to produce the necessary documents for both the vehicle and the weapons. The duo even claimed they were members of the Office of the President (OP).

“May kasama pa ‘to nung maano sila, masita, medyo naka-ano lang, naka-extricate lang, pero may kasama pa itong isang sasakyan” he said as reported on a report by Oscar Oida on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(They had companions when they were apprehended and they were able to extricate, but they were with another vehicle.)

According to Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao, background checks of the suspects show that they were previously linked to a case involving fraud, as they claimed to be linked to the First Family.

“Nagpapangap na konektado sa First Family at nanghihingi sa mga negosyante sa Cebu ng pera para sa approval ng kanilang, or continuation ng mga negosyo nila. In fact, nagpapanggap sila na undersecretary ng OP kaya talagang very serious ‘yung mga ginagawa nila,” he said in the same report.

“Baka nag-evolve siya sa mas malalim na criminal activity kaya may dala-dala siyang explosives. I will ask also the help of national security kasi wala namang sibilyan na makakapagdala ng C-4 at hindi ganon kadali na makapag-acquire o makakuha niyan. Totally bawal ‘yan. C-4, ginagamit ng mga terorista. How come na may dala-dala siyang ganyan?” he added.

(They pretend to be connected to the First Family, and are asking money from businessmen in Cebu for the approval or continuation of their businesses. In fact, they pretend to be an undersecretary of the OP which is why this is very serious.

Maybe they have evolved into deeper criminal activities which is why they had explosives. I will ask also the help of national security, because no civilians will bring C-4, and it is not easy to acquire or get those. That is totally prohibited, and being used by terrorists. How come that they had that?)

Among the charges the suspects are facing are violating Republic Acts 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), 9516 (Unlawful Possession of Explosives), Possession of Bladed Weapons, Resisting Arrest, Disobedience to a Person of Authority, Concealing of True Name and Obstruction of Justice. 

Authorities added the two suspects were previously arrested by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for claiming they had ties with the family of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Police are urging members of the public who might have been scammed by the suspects come forward and file the appropriate cases against them.  —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News