CEBU, Philippines - Six gunsmiths were apprehended on Wednesday in the hinterlands of Carmen town in a raid conducted by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – 7 on a gun shop allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture, repair and sale of firearms.
Arnel Lozano, 24, and his five other cohorts were apprehended by a team led by Chief Insp. Germano Mallari of CIDG-7 armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Enriqueta Belarmino of Regional Trial Court Branch 57 on September 27, 2011.
Lozano, who is identified as the leader of the group, supervised the entire gun shop operation with his assemblers and laborers, Dennis Capuyan, 25, Albert Capuyan, 20, Renan Lucero, 20, Rex Lozano, 21 and Juhaide Lumen, 18.
The six suspects were apprehended for failing to secure the necessary permits and documents from the Firearms and Explosive Division (FED).
CIDG-7 administration head, Chief Insp. Patrick Vaño told The FREEMAN that the group is a “newly monitored” gun shop in the area.
Vaño said their men traveled around seven kilometers before they reached Lozano’s gun shop. “Pabukid na ni karon ilang operation kay kahibaw man sila nga illegal,” he said.
Lozano, the subject of the search warrant, was reportedly caught in the act of making a .45 caliber pistol.
He however surrendered to the police together with his men in the presence of councilmen Isidro Cando and Catalino Lozano Jr. of the said barangay.
Lozano also told The FREEMAN that their gun shop is roughly 5-years-old and that they can dispose of around four .45 caliber pistols in a month with a P4, 000 profit.
“Tagsaan man namo ug himo ang mga pusil, so sa usa ka buwan ma-usa ka pusil gyud among mapurma,” he said.
Seized from the suspects were two caliber .45 pistols and several other unfinished guns and manufacturing tools.
All six gunsmiths violated Section 1 of Republic Act 8294 or the Firearms Law.
The accused may face penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period and a fine of P30, 000 which considers caliber.45 pistols as high-powered firearms. They are currently detained at the CIDG-7 detention cell while awaiting the filing of charges. (FREEMAN)