CIDG-7 nabs illegal gunsmith in Danao

CEBU, Philippines - A 45-year-old gunsmith was apprehended by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Central Visayas in Danao City, Cebu yesterday for illegally manufacturing of firearms.

Mario Hermocilla, of Sitio Caputatan, Barangay Ginacot, Danao City, Cebu was apprehend inside a hut while finishing an ingram rifle at around 11 a.m. yesterday.

The arrest came after the police received a tip from their informant that the suspect was illegally manufacturing firearms which led to the issuance of a search warrant issued by Mandue City Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Marilyn Lagura-Yap on November 17, 2011.

Seized from the suspect’s possession were two ingram rifles with silencers, three .30 caliber revolvers and one caliber 22 magnum.

CIDG Chief Investigator Insp. Delfin Bontuyan told The FREEMAN that Hermocilla have been illegally manufacturing firearms inside his small hut near their house for years, adding that it was reportedly their only way of livelihood to support his small family.

“Dugay na gyud na siya nag-operate diha, kay mao man ang iyang gibuhi sa iyang mga anak,” Buntuyan said. 

He further said that Hermocilla can sell a single ingram for P12, 000 but when sold to buyers from other areas, the rifle can be sold for more than P30, 000 each.

Though disappointed, Hermocilla admitted that he has been manufacturing firearms for years, saying that his father was the one who taught him how to manufacture guns.

“Sukad sa akong pagka-bata, mao na gyud na akong na mat-an nga panginabuhi ang paghimo og armas. Mao raman sad to ang kabilin sa akong amahan,” he said.

Hermocilla said he cannot imagine himself doing any other work other than gun making.

He said that he tried to legalize his work by joining the Workers League of Danao Multi-Purpose Cooperative (World MPC) but there were only a few slots and he was not fortunate to have one.

“Kun matagaan lang ko og laing panginabuhi nga legal, ngano di man?” he said.

Hermocilla is currently detained at CIDG-7 while awaiting formal charges for violating provisions of the Firearms Law. CIDG-7 Director Jose Pante said that this is just one of many similar operations they will conduct in the future in line with the thrust of the CIDG Chief, Police Director Pagdilao Jr. and the chief PNP to curb the backlog of pending search and arrest warrants through the country.— (FREEMAN)