‘NBI agent’ nabbed for guns, ammo

MANILA, Philippines - A man claiming to be an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was arrested following a raid that resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition in Pampanga on Thursday, police reported yesterday.

Antonio Escoto, who uses the aliases “Antonio Escoto Punzalan” and “Tony Escoto,” was arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and members of the provincial police in Barangay Babo Pangulo, Porac.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Victor Deona said the raiding team seized assorted firearms, ammunition, gun holsters, handcuffs and a bullet-proof vest.

Deona said Escoto introduced himself as an NBI agent when the police arrested him.

He said investigation showed the suspect is the leader of the “Escoto criminal group,” tagged in armed robbery, contract killings and gunrunning in Pampanga.

Escoto was taken to the CIDG-Pampanga detention facility as charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Firearms and Ammunition Law, and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives were filed against him.