FESAGSS: NBI error led to trader's arrest

CEBU, Philippines – Supt. Rex Derilo, chief of the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agency and Guards Supervisory Section denied responsibility for the arrest of businessman Robert Nicolas Granthom saying it was the National Bureau of Investigation that submitted them faulty information.

The NBI told them the suspect's name was Robert Nicolas Sombrano Granthom, so when the FESAGSS checked the national records they found no one with that name licensed to carry firearms.

Derilo then issued a certificate to this effect and this certificate was the basis of the NBI's implementation of the search warrant the other day.

However the suspect's real named turned out to be Robert Nicolas Sembrano Granthom. A second search proved that Robert Nicolas Sembrano Granthom owns eight licensed firearms, had another license revoked and was in the process of having another firearm licensed.

Derilo added that they cannot just make their own corrections on the name as this would mean implicating another innocent person.

The other day agents of the National Bureau of Investigation armed with search warrant issued by Judge Soliver Peras went to the house of Granthom, 41, along V. Ranudo St., barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City.

There they found a CZ 9mm pistol, a Walther P22 with silencer, a H&K 9 mm pistol, a Walther G22 rifle, and a KWC airsoft pistol, a 10 M-16 magazines, three boxes of Remington 9mm ammunition, another box containing live 9mm rounds, a box of M-16 rounds, a box containing caliber .45 cal. rounds, a .45 cal. barrel, and 41 .45 cal. rounds.

The agents also found nine pieces of combat knives, five holsters, four digital weighing scales, assorted small plastic sachets, assorted tablets, and four plastic packs containing stubs.

Granthom is now facing charges before the office of the Cebu City Prosecutor for illegal possession of firearms.

Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas, who is handling the case of Granthom, said that she has yet to go over the records and study the information to be made on the case.

"There is no finding yet because there were several (types of) ammunition confiscated by the NBI and it falls in different jurisdictions," she said.

Rabillas said that the recovered ammunitions were both low-powered and high-powered which she said falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court and the Municipal Trial Court.

She said that the case is pending for resolution and added that she hopes that she can finish the information by today for the filing of cases in court.

The NBI has sent a letter to Derilo's office requesting it to issue a certification attesting that the said licenses were indeed duly issued by their office. - Mylen P. Manto and Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (FREEMAN)