Gun maker arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested a man who was caught in the act of manufacturing guns at his house in Barangay Masaba, Danao City on Thursday.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 arrested Marjon Castro alias “Bosyo”, 24, through a search warrant issued by Judge Teresita Abarquez-Galanida of the Regional Trial Court Branch 56 in Mandaue City.

`The raid was led by CIDG assistant regional chief, Supt. Fermin Armendarez III, and was carried out in coordination with the Danao City Police.

Armendarez said they secured the search warrant after receiving a tip that Castro manufactured guns at his residence.

“Naa daw magpabuto sa area para testingan ang armas before paliton. Since 14 years old pa ni siya gahimo. (Someone would fire the gun to test it before purchase. He has been manufacturing guns since he was 14 years old),” Armendarez said.

At 8:30 am last Thursday, the team proceeded to the area and caught Castro heading towards the makeshift room beside his house where he allegedly made the guns.

Authorities confiscated an unlicensed .38 revolver, a M203 grenade launcher and several gun spare parts and machines used in manufacturing firearms. Armendarez said the items seized would cost at least P70,000.

Castro, in an interview, confirmed he has been manufacturing guns since 10 years ago but not consistently.

“Kahibaw man gud ko na dakpunon ang loose firearms, so panagsa ra ‘gyud ko muhimo, pangbuhi ra gud sa pamilya. Natungnan ra g’yud to na gatrabaho ko. (I know it’s illegal to manufacture loose firearms so I didn’t do it often. I just wanted to have money for my family. I was just unlucky that they caught me in the act),” Castro said.

He claimed to be an active student of the Alternative Learning Center program.

He further said that the M203 grenade launcher seized was from an air soft gun that someone left at his house. He also dismissed speculations that he sold firearms to politicians.

A charge for violation of the Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms will be filed against the suspect. (FREEMAN)