Gunrunner nabbed; 12 firearms seized

CEBU, Philippines — At least 12 assorted loose firearms were confiscated from a suspected gunrunner in an entrapment operation conducted by members of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 in Barangay Suba, Danao City Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as Renato Ramoneda, has been reported to be a member of a gunrunning syndicate in that city.

Seized from Ramoneda were a KG9 machine pistol, six pieces of 45 caliber and four pieces of 9mm pistol.

The operation was in line with the CIDG’s 'Oplan Paglalansag Omega’ that targets loose firearms.

Report said the suspect was arrested in 2013 for the same illegal business.

Police Major Ronald Allan Tolosa, deputy regional chief of CIDG-7, said they received information regarding the suspect’s activities, prompting them to conduct a buy-bust using P108,000.

“Sa pagawas niya, mao ra gihapon na monitor gihapon namo nga nibalik siya sa maong pagbaligya og mga illegal na armas,” Tolosa told reporters in a press conference yesterday morning.

Ramoneda admitted to the crime, claiming that he has P500 commission for each firearm he sold.

“Niundang nako ani kay nadakpan ko sa una ba karon lang ning higayona na kuan (balik) ko kay tungod sa wala lagi maayong pang kwarta didto mangumisyon lang ko ani, tag P500 ang usa, buy-bust man  diay ni,” Ramoneda said.

He confessed that poverty forced him to engage in gunrunning activity.

Tolosa said that the CIDG is intensifying operations against loose firearms.

“Daghan ang possibility na kung asa kini gamiton so possibly na ibaligya nila ni sa mga tawo nga aduna puy kalambigitan sa criminal activities. So kini nga operation dako kaayong tabang para malikayan ang posibilidad..nga naay maka-commit og crime.”  Tolosa stated.

The agency is monitoring other areas in Cebu where gunrunning is rampant.  LPM (FREEMAN)