‘Soldier’ arrested for illegal transport of guns

CEBU, Philippines - A man who claimed  to be a member of the military was arrested for allegedly transporting several firearms at Cebu City’s Pier 2 Sunday evening.

The suspect was identified as Corporal Richard Francilizo, 37, who said he is assigned in Panay.

Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, the newly assigned chief of Waterfront Police Station, said the suspect’s arrest came after they received a call from a security guard of the terminal about a man carrying a suspicious bag.

They responded and arrested Francilizo who was about to board MV Georich bound for Dapitan.  He did not resist.

Found in the suspect’s bag were six caliber .45 pistols and a caliber .357 revolver and eight magazines for a caliber. 45 pistol.

Tiu said the guns have a street of value between P10,000 to P12,000 each.

Tiu said Francilizo failed to present documents covering the transport of the guns and only showed an identification card from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has  expired in 2010.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the suspect, who hails from Cotabato, bought the guns from Danao City, a known place in Cebu for gun  manufacturing.

“The timing is very significant because the election is fast approaching,” Buenafe said, saying that the guns may be used for the elections.

Buenafe said they are checking if the suspect is a member of a syndicate engaged in smuggling guns and other contrabands.

Major Christopher Tampus, spokesperson of the Central Command which covers Panay Island, said he checked with the Field Artillery Battalion in Panay and found out that Francilizo is not in the list of personnel.

Tampus said CentCom is still checking from other units.

Francilizo will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.

“I talked with CentCom and they told me to proceed with the case because they don’t condone such act.  Just like here in CCPO, we don’t tolerate such,” Buenafe said.

—  /MBG (FREEMAN)