The Philippine National Police (PNP) will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to strengthen coordination and information-sharing to further intensify the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the country.
This came after five people, including two soldiers and a policeman, were arrested for selling firearms in an entrapment operation in Bgy. Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (Oct. 12).
Arrested were Patrolman Eliver Jay Anggot Soverano, reportedly assigned to the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Crime Laboratory Office; Datu Morjan Kunakon Tumindig; Adams Tuminding; and Army Staff Sgt. Gleen Argones Sangyao and Army Staff Sgt. Reynaldo Dichosa II, both reportedly assigned to the 6th Infantry Division.
“I commend the Chief of Police and the personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station for their aggressive campaign against loose firearms which led to the arrest of five people, two of them are soldiers and the other one is a PNP personnel,” Eleazar said.
“This translates to nine less firearms at the hands of criminal elements who may be tapped to sow violence in the May 2022 elections,” he added.
The operation was conducted after a police poseur-buyer transacted with the suspects for the sale of assorted firearms.
Seized were a 5.56 mm Bushmaster rifle, two 5.56 rifles, an M4 carbine, two .45 caliber pistols, and three 9mm pistols.
“Dahil sa insidenteng ito, makikipag-ugnayan ang inyong PNP sa liderato ng Armed Forces of the Philippines upang palakasin ang monitoring at mga operasyon laban sa sinumang magbebenta at bibili ng mga loose firearms, pulis man, sundalo o sinuman ang sangkot dito. Hindi natin hahayaan ang ganitong kalakaran lalo na at may eleksyon tayong dapat protektahan,” Eleazar said.
He also said the PNP personnel arrested will face both criminal and administrative charges.
Eleazar earlier ordered early election security preparations that include aggressive operations against loose firearms and private armed groups.
“I am also warning all our personnel not to engage in this kind of illegal activity because I will make sure that the full force of the law will be used against you. Bilang mga alagad ng batas, hindi dapat tayo maging bantay-salakay at sa halip ay bantay ng bayan upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan,” the PNP chief said. (PNP) – jlo
