CIDG ARRESTS GUN DEALER SELLING LOOSE GUNS ONLINE

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested an unlicensed gun dealer and seized 53 loose firearms in a buy-bust operation in Marikina City.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the unlicensed firearms were confiscated in an operation in the city on Friday, September 29.

Acorda said the operation stemmed from two search warrants issued by a Marikina court .

Seized were 26 long firearms, 27 short firearms, assorted ammunition, tools and machines used in manufacturing firearms.

The top cop said the suspect had no license to operate a firearms business and had not submitted any application to the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) for dealing and manufacturing firearms.

CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat said the suspect uses social media in his illegal activity.

“That is what we are fearing. He has clients who are private individuals maintaining PAGs (private armed groups). We intend to keep our BSKE (Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections) and our streets safe. For every firearm that we seize, our communities become safer,” Caramat said.

Charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition were filed against the arrested gun dealer at the Marikina City Prosecutor’s Office.