Police score again in fight vs loose guns

CEBU, Philippines - Police scored again in its campaign against loose firearms.

Several gun parts and machines for making guns including an improvised shotgun, electric drill, welding machine, metal clamps, metal file, barrels and revolver casings were seized and one Ronila Quimbo, 28, was arrested in a operation Wednesday morning in Barangay Manteha, Danao City.

Operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 7’s Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) led by Insp. Romeo Sentinta, Jr. proceeded to Barangay Manteha and arrested Quimbo after he reportedly sold gun parts to a police decoy.

Prior to Quimbo’s arrest, the same team raided a makeshift gun factory in Barangay Ginacot and seized machine pistols, gun parts, manufacturing tools and machines.

Roland Pasaol, the alleged owner of the factory, and his workers, escaped after sensing that they were transacting with police officers.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has intensified its campaign against loose firearms as the barangay elections draw near.

Last Tuesday, Sentinta’s team seized several gun parts and machines in Sitio Caputatan, Barangay Ginacot.

The owner, one Rolando Capuyan and two others, were reportedly seen working on some gun parts for KG9 machine pistols.

However, they managed to elude arrest from approaching policemen.

Supt. Pablo Labra II, chief of RID, said the items seized all amounted to about P1.5 million.

Labra said that while they consider gun manufacturing as livelihood of most residents of Danao City, making these without the necessary documents is illegal.

PRO 7 director Danilo Constantino said it is time for these illegal manufacturers to find another source of income.

“This is to send a strong message for them that we’re determined to eradicate this illegal trade,” said Constantino.

Because of the operations, supply of loose firearms is expected to decline.

“May kinalaman na rin ito sa October elections. Kahit papano, malaking kabawasan na ‘to,” Constantino said.

RID has neutralized six makeshift factories and arrested four persons for the past two weeks.

Last Monday, the Cebu Provincial Police Office’ Intelligence Branch also seized some P700,000 worth of machines and unfinished firearms and arrested two men in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City.  (FREEMAN)