PNP, AFP probe arms pilferage

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct a joint investigation to determine how firearms and ammunition supposedly from the military ended up in the hands of a couple accused of gunrunning.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday he has already talked with Maj. Gen. Filemon Santos Jr., chief of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion in Nueva Ecija, where the seized arms cache allegedly originated.

“They are willing to cooperate in the investigation that we will be doing,” Albayalde told reporters in an ambush interview at Camp Crame.

Albayalde tasked the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Director Guillermo Eleazar to spearhead the probe on the part of the PNP.

Two assault rifles, a handgun and 12,893 rounds of ammunition for M-60 light machine guns and M-16 assault rifles were recovered from Edgardo Medel and his wife Rosemarie, who were caught in an entrapment operation in Valenzuela City on Sunday.

They are accused of selling firearms and ammunition allegedly from the military to extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Maute, reportedly in cahoots with a retired Army soldier said to have supplied the couple with the smuggled weapons.

Albayalde expressed concern over the reported pilferage of firearms and ammunition from a military camp which are later used by rebel groups against state security forces.

Albayalde said they are also looking into the suspects’ claim that among their clients are politicians.

“They will be subjected to police operations,” he said.         

Not Army inventory

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, however, said the seized ammunition is not part of Army inventory.

He said the bullets were not produced at the government arsenal in Limay, Bataan, adding that state-issued bullets are “distributed to field units not in white, but in olive drab boxes.”

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the bullets could have come from civilian suppliers, who could have acquired them from foreign contractors.