Gun runner falls with ‘class A’ firearms in Danao

CEBU, Philippines - A total of P55,000 worth of “class A” firearms were confiscated from a gun runner who was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the police in Tabok, Danao City Wednesday afternoon.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 conducted the operation resulting to the arrest of Joseph Serna Peñas, 38, in his house after he negotiated and sold firearms to the police who acted as poseur-buyer.

Superintendent Fermin Armendarez III, deputy chief of the CIDG-7, said the subject was placed under surveillance at 9 a.m. on the same day before the operation was conducted past 12 noon.

Armendarez said ten minutes after the negotiation, the suspect came back with the firearms.

Recovered from Peñas were two caliber .45 pistols, one X9 shooters caliber 9mm pistol, two magazines for caliber .45, and two magazines for caliber 9 mm.

Armendarez said that the suspect admitted selling firearms to earn additional income for his family. Peñas works as a truck driver for cargoes of vegetables.

Two weeks ago, the police received information about Peñas’ illegal activity in the area.

Peñas is allegedly a stock holder of firearms particularly caliber .45 pistols which he sells at P10,000 to P12,000 and KGP machine pistols priced from P12,000 to P15, 000.

Peñas reportedly sells his firearms to his clients in Mindanao and that he has regular suppliers in Danao City.   (FREEMAN)