Firearm dealer falls in Danao

CEBU, Philippines —  The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) recovered 38 loose firearms from an alleged notorious gun dealer at Sitio Cogon, Barangay Guinsay, Danao City around 8 p.m. last Thursday.

The PRO-7 yesterday presented at least 38 loose firearms they recovered from Ahmed Martel in a buy-bust operation conducted in the area.

Among those recovered were 15 .9mm caliber pistols, six of which have markings ‘ARMSCOR’ with serial number, while nine of which do not have markings but with serial number.  There were also a .45 caliber pistol, two shotguns and two .38 caliber revolvers.

PRO-7 Chief Albert Ignatius Ferro said their investigation revealed that a transaction was made between a security agency and gun manufacturer believed to be replicating the original firearm.

“Remember if you have this kind of seized firearms, this is a non-bailable offense. I think this is the biggest haul in one day in a one operation by any police unit here in Central Visayas,” Ferro told reporters in a press briefing yesterday.

Ferro said Martel was a former worker of a dressed chicken company and, when his contract ended four years ago, went into selling guns.

“These firearms are a possible duplication, a double of the legitimate firearms that are licensed. We will coordinate with the security agency that has these firearms records in the explosives office, and accordingly from Coronadal in Region 12,” said Ferro.

The PRO-7 believed that the modus operandi from the suspect is to replicate legitimate firearms registered under a security agency named Titanium in Coronadal City.

According to ARMSCOR Shooting Center General Manager Joel Antonio Concepcion, the firearms that they are selling were registered from Camp Crame and the loose firearms confiscated and presented were reportedly not from them. — GAN (FREEMAN)