High-powered firearms seized from army reservist

POLICE scored in their campaign against loose firearms after several high-powered guns, explosives and rounds of ammunition where confiscated from an army reservist in Tarlac.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided on October 18 a farm owned by Edward Carillo, who is also a businessman.

Seized during the raid were five grenades, five firearms including a machine pistol, several magazines and boxes containing ammunition.

The raid at Carillo's farm, located at Barangay Sta. Ines Centro, Santa Ignacia, stemmed from a complaint about his alleged indiscriminate firing activities. 

The army reservist was not present during the raid but his lawyer went to the CIDG office in Tarlac where he showed Carillo's license for a shotgun and a pistol.

The CIDG said the recent raid in Tarlac is part of the campaign to track down illegal gun holders and confiscate loose firearms in preparation for the 2013 midterm polls. 

The police group added that this is to prevent untoward incidents allegedly perpetrated by private armed groups before and during elections.

Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., CIDG chief, assured that they have intensified their operations in anticipation of the possible increase of gun-related violence for next year's elections.

Since January 2012, the CIDG has confiscated a total of 561 loose firearms, 310 of which are high-powered. 

The Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office also said last week that there are over 610,000 firearms with expired licenses which have yet to be renewed by gun owners as of August 2012. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)