A passenger bound for Manila was arrested after an improvised handgun was detected inside his luggage during initial screening checkpoint at the Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City.

Police said the handgun inside the luggage was detected by the X-ray machine. Authorities did not identify the suspect.

The suspect also failed to present legal document for the firearm.

“So nung wala siyang naipakita, walang siyang naisubmit so inimbitahan sa office dito para sa thourough na investigation, so since wala talaga, we have to file case against sa kanya kasi nasa possession niya yung firearms na nakuha,”

Zamboanga International Airpot Police Station Chief, Major Alexander Cabanlong Jr., said.

The suspect said he found the gun at his grandfather’s house and kept it. He claimed he didn’t have an idea why the gun was placed inside the luggage.

“Ako to sir, nakit-an ra nako to…,” the suspect said.

Investigators found out later that the gun was owned by a certain Darul Balbuena, resident of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

The suspect underwent inquest proceedings and will likely face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act (RA 10591).

Police added that the gun will also undergo ballistic examination.

“Actually yung puslit na sinasabi natin sa airport di sila makakalusot kasi we are manned by X-ray machine. Doon sa mga legal owner naman as long as wala namang gun ban basta completo sila sa documents pwede naman nila i-ship, pwede nila i-travel together with them,” Cabanlong said.