Three men caught with illegal guns

CEBU, Philippines - Three men were apprehended for illegal possession of firearms following an anonymous tip from a caller on Thursday.

Jason Perolino, 24, and his younger brother Richard, 22, of barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City; and Jomarie Atienza, 31, of Lapu-Lapu City are currently detained at Cebu City Police Office stockade after police recovered three cal. 45 pistols from them at around 8:17 p.m.

Chief Insp. David Señor, chief of the CCPO Mobile Patrol Group, told The FREEMAN they received the call early that day about a white Starex with plate number LMW-307 carrying armed passengers inside.

Following the tip, CCPO headquarters immediately alerted all MPG units across the city of the Starex vehicle which they later spotted near Barangay Mambaling Flyover at around 8 p.m.

The car was signaled to stop but sped away from the police in the middle of the Natalio Bacalso Ave traffic.

A stationed mobile car 0917 gave a chase while radioing for backup, alarming units from the City Intelligence Branch and Motorcycle Riding Unit.

The Starex was trapped by pursuing police at a stop light near the Citilink Terminal.

Señor said responding policemen approached the car with caution after reports that their passengers were armed.

The three male passengers did not resist arrest and peacefully went with the police. A woman carrying an infant was at the back seat during the arrest.

The police also recovered P9, 401 cash believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling.

“We can not rule out the possibility that they are involved in illegal gambling,” said CIB Chief Romeo Santander, who heads the investigation on the three.

He said the three, who are currently detained at CCPO stockade, will face charges for violating provision of the firearms law which the police will file early today.

In an interview, the three denied involvement in any illegal activity, adding the guns were only for self defense.  (FREEMAN)