The Philippine National Police (PNP) will coordinate with its Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterpart to strengthen coordination and information-sharing to further intensify the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the country.
This after five people, including two soldiers and a police officer, were arrested for selling firearms during an entrapment operation in Barangay Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (October 12).
The suspects have been identified by PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar as Patrolman Eliver Jay Anggot Soverano, reportedly assigned to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Crime Laboratory Office;
Philippine Army Staff Sergeants Gleen Argones Sangyao and Reynaldo Dichosa II, both are reportedly assigned to the 6th Infantry Division based in Cotabato City.
Also arrested were civilians Datu Morjan Kunakon Tumindig and Adams Tuminding;
“I commend the Chief of Police and the personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station for their aggressive campaign against loose firearms which led to the arrest of five people, two of them are soldiers and the other one is a PNP personnel,” Eleazar said.
“This translates to nine less firearms at the hands of criminal elements who may be tapped to sow violence in the May 2022 elections,” he added.
The operation was launched after a police poseur-buyer was able to transact with the suspects for the sale of assorted firearms.
The raiding team were able to seize a 5.56 mm Bushmaster rifle, two 5.56 rifle, an M4 Carbine, two cal. 45 pistols, and three 9mm pistols.
“Dahil sa insidenteng ito, makikipag-ugnayan ang inyong PNP sa liderato ng Armed Forces of the Philippines upang palakasin ang monitoring at mga operasyon laban sa sinumang nagbebenta at bibili ng mga loose firearms, pulis man, sundalo o sinuman ang sangkot dito. Hindi natin hahayaan ang ganitong kalakaran lalo na at may eleksyon tayong dapat protektahan,” Eleazar further said.
He said the arrested PNP personnel will be charged with both criminal and administrative charges.
Eleazar had earlier ordered early election security preparations that include aggressive operations against loose firearms and private armed groups.
The PNP chief warned all his personnel not to engage in this kind of illegal activity, adding that the full force of the law will be used against them.
Bilang mga alagad ng batas, hindi dapat tayo maging bantay-salakay at sa halip ay bantay ng bayan upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan,” Eleazar concluded.
