Loose firearms confiscated but gunsmith escapes

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation  and Detection Group-7 in a raid seized at least 29 firearms in Barangay Suba, Danao City Wednesday but failed to arrest the gunsmith.

Eddie Gian, alleged gunsmith, was faster than the CIDG operatives. After sensing their presence, he immediately fled away.

Senior Superintendent Fermin Armendarez III, CIDG-7 deputy chief, said the operation was supposed to be a buy-bust operation.

But Armendarez said Gian saw them from his makeshift tent and immediately fled away in an unknown location leaving his homemade weapons behind.

He said before CIDG operatives could get near Gian’s location, they already saw him making guns from afar at P.G. Almendras Street in Barangay Suba.

But when they tried to approach him few meters away from his shanty, he immediately escaped.

CIDG-7 personnel confiscated from Gian’s makeshift house one KG9 automatic pistol; five pieces of caliber .45 pistol; one caliber .380 pistol; four caliber .357 revolvers; ten caliber .38 revolvers; two caliber .9mm black widows; and five black widow revolvers.

They also managed to confiscate assorted magazines and gun-making  equipment and ammunition.

The operation is a product of the agency’s campaign against loose firearms, Armendarez said.

He added they have received reports of illegal gun manufacturing activity in the area.

Danao City has been tagged as the center of illegal arms manufacturing business in the Visayas and is reportedly home to skilled gunsmith operating illegally.

Senior Superintendent Ritchie Posadas, CIDG-7 chief, said he will direct his men to conduct further campaign against loose firearms in the region.

Gian will still be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Weapons and Ammunition although he is at large.  (FREEMAN)