PNP seizes suspected PAG guns, dried marijuana in Bulacan raid

Authorities seized a cache of firearms, believed to be owned by a private armed group (PAG), and P2.2 million worth of dried marijuana during a raid in Bulacan on Thursday, the Philippine National Police said Friday.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar also said that the a suspect, he identified as as Jason Relucio King, 46, was arrested.

A search team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) found 13 firearms, ammunition and 11 kilograms of dried marijuana in King’s house in Barangay Longos, Malolos City.

Cops launched the operation based on a search warrant issued on King for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act or Republic Act 10591.

Seized firearms include an M16 assault rifle, a shotgun, two caliber 22 rifles, a 9mm submachine gun, eight handguns of different calibers, and assorted magazine assemblies with ammunition.

According to the Malolos City PNP, the arrested suspect will face criminal charges for illegal possession of firearms, and for possession of illegal drugs before the city prosecutor's office.

Eleazar said King and his brother had a record for illegal drugs after a buy bust operation in Quezon City in 2019, where 112 grams of high-grade kush marijuana worth P168,000 were seized. But the case was eventually dismissed.

“As a standard procedure, all firearms confiscated will be subjected to ballistics examination for cross-matching with the automated PNP database of firearms involved in shooting incidents, while the confiscated Marijuana will be kept in secured storage at the PNP Crime Laboratory while awaiting further orders from the Court for its destruction,” Eleazar said.

“I have instructed the CIDG to uncover all possible links of the suspect with other criminal activities including partisan armed groups,” he added.

Eleazar said the operation is in response to the order of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to intensify police operations against partisan armed groups and loose firearms ahead of the 2022 election season. —LBG, GMA News