4 Chinese plead not guilty to gun raps

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Four Chinese nationals pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before an Ilocos Norte court.

Lei Guang, Dang Hoi Yin, Lui Xin Fen and Dennis Min Co denied the charge against them during their arraignment at the Bangui Regional Trial Court Branch 19, Superintendent Jeffrey Gorospe, provincial police spokesman, said.

The arraignment was first scheduled last Thursday but was reset to yesterday due to the absence of an interpreter for the accused.

Apart from the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, the foreigners were accused of violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections, which was in effect during their arrest last May 28. 

The Bureau of Immigration in Laoag City is also planning to file charges against the suspects after they were reportedly found to have no visas and other travel documents. 

The Chinese were arrested after police found three MP5 submachine guns, a Pietro Beretta pistol, a .40-caliber rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, a 9mm Glock pistol, eight grenades and an improvised explosive in their vehicles.