AFP probes case of cops selling rifles to NPA

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) will work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine the origin of AK-47 rifles recovered recently from communist rebels.

EASTMINCOM chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Cruz III sought an investigation on the matter after a series of AK-47 recoveries following several clashes between soldiers and the New People’s Army (NPA). 

“We coordinated with the PNP Firearms and Explosive Division to trace the source of these AK-47 rifles,” Cruz said in a statement.

EASTMINCOM spokesman Cpt. Alberto Caber, however, said most of the rifles seized in Caraga and Davao provinces have tampered serial numbers.

He said the defacing of serial numbers was an apparent attempt to prevent authorities from determining the source of the firearms.

The military’s effort to trace the rifles’ origin came amid the controversy over the supposed involvement of some police officers in the selling of 1,004 AK-47s to the NPA.

Last Friday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Benjamin Magalong said the missing firearms were traced to NPA rebels in Mindanao. He said 19 police officers could be liable for the illegal sale of firearms, which have an estimated value of P52 million.

PNP public information office director Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, however, admitted on Monday that CIDG’s announcement was prematurely made because the witness has yet to sign his statement.

Caber said EASTMINCOM troops have recovered a total of 45 AK-47 rifles from communist insurgents during encounters in Cotabato, Bukidnon, Caraga and Davao regions since last year.

He said 14 of the 45 rifles were surrendered by the NPA members who availed of the military’s Guns for Peace Program. 

Last Sunday, soldiers from the Army’s 30th battalion recovered four AK-47 rifles, two hand grenades, four improvised explosive devices, 15 magazines for AK-47 with ammunitions, a rifle grenade, a hand held radio, six bandoleers and six backpacks after a firefight with the rebels.