CEBU, Philippines - About P1 million worth of gun parts and gun-making machines were seized following a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch Thursday afternoon in Danao City.
The operation led to the arrest of eight people who are now temporarily detained at the Consolacion police stockade pending the filing of charges against them for violation of RA 8294 or illegal possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives or instruments used in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition or explosives.
The suspects were identified as Antonio Gian, 71, of Barangay Poblacion, the alleged financier of the illegal gun manufacturing; Normanito Gian, 41, and Ildefonso Capitan, 52, both of Barangay Guinsay; Benidecto Manulat, 52, of Barangay Cogon; Eldebrando Gian, 36, of Barangay Quisol; and Gomersindo Bayo, 41, of Barangay Tuburan Sur.
Also, Jayme Silverio Sr., 54, and Vivencio Villasan, 30, both of Barangay Tuburan Sur, were arrested in a separate operation.
A team led by Supt. Rodolfo Albotra conducted the operation in St. Peter Village, Barangay Taboc, Danao City, where they arrested Antonio who personally made the transaction with an undercover police operative in exchanged for P500.
Later seized from the house of Antonio were five barrels, five revolver cylinders and two slides.
Antonio’s five other accomplices were also arrested after they were caught making gun parts within the vicinity.
Operatives also recovered five lathe machines, two bench grinders, welding rods, several assorted drillbits, a welding machine, three baby butt stocks for an M16 rifle, two hand guards for a CAR-15, two bench drills, a machine groover, a radial power cutter, two bench vices, several barrel bushings and other assorted machines and tools.
All machines were estimated at P800,000.
Thirty-five revolver cylinders, 35 pistol slides, several pieces of flat bars worth P200,000 were also seized as well as a tricycle with license plate numbers GY 6996.
SPO1 Reynaldo Solante, PIB operative, said Antonio was under surveillance for two weeks before they carried out the operation.
Solante said Antonio was once a dried fish vendor before he shifted to moneylending. He later restored to making loose firearms due to his need for money.
“Mga unom na na ka-tuig siya ana unya mass production na ang iyaha,†Solante told The FREEMAN.
In another operation, operatives arrested Silverio and Villasan in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Cambiohan, Barangay Poblacion.
Both were arrested right after they handed over three barrels and three revolver cylinders to an undercover police operative in exchanged for P300.
Operatives were also able to confiscate 46 barrels and 21 reverse slugs from the suspects.
Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said that confiscation of machines and gun spare parts will affect the loose firearms industry in Danao City.
“About 80 to 90 percent sa production now ang naigo and this is a big blow to the loose firearms production in the city so dako ang possibility nga muhinay sila,†Comendador said.
Comendador added that Antonio can furnish about 20 different firearms in a day with a total of about 100 firearms in a week.
Meanwhile, a suspect held responsible for highway robberies victimizing passenger multicabs in San Fernando town was arrested by the police Friday evening in Barangay Pitalo.
Police were conducting a mobile patrol at the said place when they saw Ariel Bayaroga Eran, 22, who was standing along the road.
Eran tried to escape from the police but was arrested after a brief chase.
Confiscated from his possession was an Ingram machine pistol. and a matchbox containing dried marijuana leaves.
Eran will be facing charges for illegal possession of firearms, the Commission on Elections gun ban, possession of illegal drugs and robbery. (FREEMAN)