Fake gun permit syndicate busted

Three individuals involved in the illegal manufacture of fake license cards for security guards, gun permits and permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFORs) were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) last Thursday, police said yesterday.

Civil Security Group (CSG) director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya also ordered the closure of the group’s office located just a block away from the Santolan gate of the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame.

Charges were filed against the suspects identified as Corazon Erediano, Samuel Aliangan, and Maridel Alvares, who were found involved in the fraudulent manufacture, sale and distribution of documents and clearances needed in applying for licenses.

However, the suspects were released after posting P24,000 bail at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, where they were charged for violation of interrelated acts under Articles 172, 174 and 176 of the Revised Penal Code.

Berroya said he has ordered the cancellation of the permit to operate of Erediano’s office located at 2-D, 3rd Avenue, Barangay Bagong Lipunan, Crame, Quezon City.

Erediano and her associates earn at least P30,000 daily from security guards and civilians who want to carry firearms.

Raids were also conducted by the police on stalls in Cubao, where various documents used in the facilitation of security guards licenses as well as gun permits were seized.

Berroya said the team, led by Senior Superintendent Allen Bantolo, learned that the group was also engaged in issuing falsified documents, including fake training certificates, declaration of graduates, closing reports of different security guard training institutes, application forms of Social Security System (SSS), Security Guard License application forms, blank forms of PNP-CSG-SAGSD in-service-training/RTC examination certification, bundles of accomplished Order of Payment and special bank receipts.

Also found in their possession were neuro-psychiatric reports, one photocopying machine, a computer set with printer and other equipment used in their operations.

Berroya said the government is losing millions of pesos to the group’s illegal operations.

"This is a major breakthrough because we were able to raid the group’s production house located near Camp Crame," he said.

Antonio Sibayan, retired admiral of the Armed Forces, informed CSG officials that the training certificates seized from the group did not come from the Matrix Training Center Inc. as indicated in the certificates confiscated by the police.

Dr. Reynaldo Mejia of the KESSIA Neuro-Psychiatric Center; Joseph Mervin Tumambing of the MLT Professional Evaluation Center; and Chief Inspector Editha Hinlo of the Security Agencies, Guards and Services Division (SAGSD) also informed Berroya that the group is not accredited with them and therefore, are not allowed to conduct transactions on their behalf.