MANILA, Philippines - Authorities confiscated eight boxes of live ammunition reportedly found concealed under packs of relief goods for survivors of the Super Typhoon Yolanda victims in Palawan on Tuesday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said some 4,185 bullets for a caliber .40 firearm were found merged with relief goods intended for the typhoon victims in the province.
Balilo said they have yet to confirm reports that the bullets found on board the M/V Asuncion XI were meant for a shooting competition.
The vessel came from Manila.
“Based on the initial information, the boxes of ammunition was consigned to a certain Judson Pe, allegedly one of the organizers of the shootfest in Palawan,†said Balilo.
A stevedore of Prudential Customs Brokerage Services Inc. (PCBSI) found the boxes of ammunition and reported the matter to the PCG Station in Coron.
Authorities discovered from the bill of lading that the cargo was consigned to Pe of Barangay Tagumpay in Coron.
The bullets were turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for safekeeping.