Chinese nabbed in Pasay for gun possession

MANILA, Philippines - Police on Thursday morning arrested a 46-year old Chinese man for alleged possession of several high-powered guns, ammunition and grenades at the parking lot of a casino in Pasay City.

Reports reaching the Southern Police District said suspect Jerry Sy was arrested by officers of the Pasay Police Sation 8 led by Senior Inspector Vicente Barrameds at about 1:15 a.m. at the VIP basement parking area of the Resorts World Manila.

According to reports, the police responded to a call about an altercation and commotion at the parking area of the casino. On arrival, the police officers chanced on Sy as he was allegedly about to stab Joseph Ang, 58, a casino agent of the Resorts World Manila.

On seeing the policemen, Sy allegedly turned his back and ran toward his parked white Honda Accord (conduction sticker DL-5101) which was at the casino's VIP parking area.

While running, police said two 9mm magazines dropped from him, prompting the police officers to chase him.

When his car was searched, the responding police officers found a 9mm Glock pistol, a caliber .22 Bersa Ramos Mejia pistol (serial number SN- 034052) with one magazine loaded with three bullets, a caliber .380 pistol without serial numbers, a .22 caliber Beretta pistol (serial number DAA443327) with one loaded magazine and an attached silencer, two other silencers, a 9mm assault pistol with one loaded extended magazine, three fragmentation grenades, two boxes containing 100 bullets, and a pouch bag containing 60 caliber .22 bullets.

Also found in suspect's car said police were gloves, a stun gun, a hatchet, various knives, a smoke grenade and metal spikes.

Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte, SPD director, said they are conducting a background check on Sy.

Villacorte said they are looking into the angle that Sy is an enforcer or an assassin working with a gang with links to casino activities.

Villacorte said that initial investigation showed that Sy had attacked Ang over casino debts.

Sy, who is now detained at the Pasay Police headquarters, has refused to talk to investigators.

"He is not cooperating. He is gesturing that he could not speak English or Filipino. We are waiting for his lawyers to arrive," said Villacorte.

Police are now preparing charges against Sy, which include illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.