Norwegian with 'souvenir' gun in luggage leaves Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - A Norwegian National who was arrested for illegal possession of firearms at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last Dec. 27 was released from police custody and has left the country despite a case filed against him.

Anders Ovenstad, 68, a resident of BF Homes in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, was about to board a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong bound for Norway on Dec. 27 with his wife and children when he was stopped by members of the airport police after the X-ray machine detected something suspicious inside his bag.

Police later found a .38 caliber revolver without a cylinder from Ovenstad’s bag. The firearm also allegedly did not have supporting documents.

Ovenstad was on a wheel chair at the time of the arrest.

However, despite a case filed against him last Dec. 28, Ovenstad was reportedly released allegedly in exchange of money.

During the program “Kapulisan ug ang Katawhan” over dySS, Senior Superintendent Joselito Salido, chief of the Philippine Center for Aviation Security in Region 7, did not categorically deny the allegations, saying he already forwarded a report to the PCAS central office.

Salido, however, said he does not condone any act of bribery in his office and he is willing to face any investigation if necessary. 

He added PCAS does not have a reputation of entertaining bribery attempts and they even initiate the filing of a case against those who would propose for negotiation.

“Dili lang una ko mokumentaryo sa kaso sanglit niduso na ko og initial report sa kauluhan basin mabasahan ning maong isyu ako na hinuoy madaot sa akong mga labaw sa Kampo Crame nga nagpadayon pa ang imbestigasyon dinhi sa akong buhatan,” Salido said.

He said he already ordered PO2 William Velvestre, the investigator, and duty escort PO2 Ian Castillo, to explain how Ovenstad was able to leave the country. Velvestre and Castillo were the ones who filed the case for illegal possession of firearm against Ovenstad.

Ovenstad reportedly told Velvestre that he brought the firearm as a “souvenir” and he bought it in Cebu.

Salido said Ovenstad reportedly underwent an inquest proceeding facilitated by Assistant City Prosecutor Jesus Rodrigo Tagaan at the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office afternoon on December 28.

Ovenstad reportedly posted bail after the inquest proceedings through his lawyer William Manos.

He was subsequently released from detention because of “technicalities” because the 18-hour reglamentary period for detention had already lapsed.

Ovenstad reportedly promised to return to Cebu to face the charges against him. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)