Cops, soldiers his patrons? 78th IB to probe "gun maker's" claim

CEBU, Philippines – The chief of 78th Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin, yesterday said his office will conduct an investigation into the reports that soldiers are among the pa-trons of an alleged illegal gun manufacturer who was arrested in Carmen town recently.

Mempin said he was surprised when he read newspaper reports on suspected firearm maker, Dindo Pitogo, 39, who claimed that all his patrons were soldiers from the 78th IB and policemen and never had a civilian customer.

"I have already instructed our intelligence personnel to verify the veracity of that report," Mempin said over GMA-7's Balitang Bisdak.

In an interview with reporters, the 78th IB chief said he has not yet received any formal report or complaint against his men in relation to the alleged illegal manufac-turing of firearms in the north but the investigation will be conducted based on the claims of Pitogo himself.

If found that Pitogo's statement is true, Mempin said he will be administering appropriate punishment against his men who buy unlicensed firearms.

Pitogo was arrested by virtue of a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court last September 3 in Barangay Corte, Carmen town.

The CIDG-7 recovered from him a post drill and an unfinished receiver used in manufacturing guns. The suspect however said the recovered items were not his but were owned by PO2 Celito Suerte, a police officer assigned in Tudela town in Camotes Island.

Pitogo was charged for violating Republic Act 8294 or Illegal possession of firearms. (FREEMAN)