Ombudsman charges PNP execs over AK-47 scam

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Wednesday ordered the immediate filing of information with the Sandiganbayan against the top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after being involved in the AK-47 scam.

The PNP officials, namely Police Director Gil Meneses of the Civil Security Group, Police Director Napoleon Estilles of the Firearms and Explosives Office, Police Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, Police Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, Police Chief Superintendent Regino Catiis, Police Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, P/SSupt. Allan Parreño, Police Superintendent Nelson Bautista, Police Chief Inspector Ricardo Zapata, Jr.,  Police Chief Inspector Ricky Sumalde,  SPO1 Eric Tan, SPO1 Randy De Sesto, Non-uniformed Personnel Nora Pirote and Sol Bargan, and Isidro Lozada of Caraga Security Agency face raps for allegedly being involved in the anomalous issuance of firearm licenses for AK-47 rifles from August 2011 to April 2013.

Morales stated in the 39-page order that the respondents are being charged for multiple counts of of violations of Sections 3(e) against the above-mentioned officials and individual, and 3(j) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) against Estilles and Petrasanta.

The Ombudsman’s probe revealed that the PNP officials have conspired in facilitating, processing and approving the applications for firearm licenses of Caraga, Isla Security Agency, Claver Mineral Development Corp. and JTC Mineral Mining Corp. despite incomplete or falsified applications and supporting documents.

The investigators also learned that most firearms were immediately released even if the requests from their withdrawal from storage were not signed by the requester.

Aside from the connivance, the Ombudsman’s probe discovered the following irregularities, among other things:  issuance of firearms licenses to Caraga despite an expired license to operate; processing of Caraga’s applications without verifying the number of firearms already issued to it, which resulted in the issuance of licenses beyond the limit allowed by regulation; recommendations for approval of the firearm licenses without proper verification and checking; Meneses’ handwritten notations to expedite processing; and the absence of verification of the identity and capacity of Isla to purchase high-powered firearms.

“The public respondents failed to act in accordance with their respective duties in processing the questioned firearms license applications” and “that their acts/and or omissions demonstrate that they are guilty of gross inexcusable negligence and evident bad faith,” Morales said.

While some are charged, Morales dismissed charges against Police Chief Inspector Rodrigo Benedicto Sarmiento, NUP Enrique Dela Cruz, and Twin Pines representatives, namely: Servando Topacio, Marie Ann Topacio, Alexandria Topacio, Hagen Alexander Topacio, Thelma Castillejos, Sherry Lyn Fetalino and Lourdes Logronio,  for lack of probable cause.