4 Nabbed in Illegal Gun Sale in Cotabato Province
Four alleged gunrunners were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by police in Barangay Villarica, Midsayap, Cotabato province, on May 30. Lt. Col. Niño Lope Briones, acting regional chief of the CIDG-RFUBAR, said the operation was carried out in coordination with other police units after a suspect known as "Basti" agreed to sell long firearms to an undercover police agent.
The suspects were identified as Jhon R. Pascua, 34; Alvin P. Alipio, 38; Renante C. Delos Santos, 45; and Mark Angelo I. Macapagal, 38. Pascua is a resident of Barangay Villarica, while Alipio is from Midsayap Proper. Delos Santos and Macapagal are from nearby Barangay Poblacion.
The buy-bust operation, which began at 10:00 a.m., was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion and the Midsayap Municipal Police Station. The suspects handed over the long firearms to the undercover police agent, and they were immediately arrested.
The police recovered one M16 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, one M16 rifle with magazine, and one 5.56mm caliber ammunition from the suspects. The firearms are valued at PHP 150,000.00 (approximately USD 2,600).
The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion have been conducting operations to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
Lt. Col. Briones said that the buy-bust operation was successful due to the cooperation and support of the local community.
The suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion continue to work together to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
Key Facts
- Four suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Cotabato province on May 30.
- The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion and the Midsayap Municipal Police Station.
- The suspects handed over long firearms to an undercover police agent and were immediately arrested.
- The police recovered one M16 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, one M16 rifle with magazine, and one 5.56mm caliber ammunition from the suspects.
- The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The Philippines has struggled with the proliferation of illegal firearms for a long time, contributing to the country's high crime rate. The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act aims to regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms in the country.
The CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion have been conducting operations to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
Lt. Col. Briones said that the buy-bust operation was successful due to the cooperation and support of the local community.
The suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“The operation was successful due to the cooperation and support of the local community,” Lt. Col. Briones said.
Lt. Col. Briones said that the CIDG-RFUBAR will continue to work with the local community to prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion will continue to support the CIDG-RFUBAR in their operations to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
The CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion continue to work together to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.
Lt. Col. Briones said that the success of the operation is a testament to the effectiveness of the partnership between the CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion.
The Philippines needs to address its high crime rate, and cracking down on illegal firearms is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. The country's law enforcement agencies, including the CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion, have been working together to implement the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms.
The success of the buy-bust operation in Cotabato province demonstrates the importance of community cooperation and support in combating crime. The CIDG-RFUBAR and the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion will continue to rely on the local community to help them prevent the spread of illegal firearms in the region.
image description: Philippine police in uniform during
a buy-bust operation in Cotabato province