Man nabbed for gunrunning

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected member of a criminal gang involved in gunrunning and gun-for-hire activities in southern Metro Manila was arrested in Makati City on Monday.

Ariel Ventura, 44, was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in an entrapment operation in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo at around 7:45 p.m., CIDG National Capital Region field office chief Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said.

Ventura was placed under arrest after he sold a handgun to an undercover police officer in exchange for P10,000.

The suspect yielded a .38 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber pistol, 13 bullets and two grams of shabu valued at P8,000.

Silvio said Ventura is allegedly a member of the Badilla criminal group.

“Subject was also known as the collector of jumper bills for the illegally connected residents of Laperal compound” in Makati, he said in a Viber message.

The suspect is being held on charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.