Thursday, March 15, 2007 Military intercepts firearm shipment in Zambo wharf By Bong Garcia
THE anti-terrorist Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) has discovered a new modus operandi of lawless elements in the shipment of firearms through the local port.
The discovery came after TFZ operatives intercepted Wednesday morning an M-16 Armalite rifle that was brought to this city from the island province of Sulu.
TFZ Chief Nonato Alfredo Peralta said the rifle was placed inside a sack packed with charcoal shipped aboard m/v Katrina V that came from Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.
Peralta said no one among the arriving passengers claimed ownership of the cargo.
He said they received information about the shipment of the firearm prior to the arrival of the vessel at the local port.
Peralta has ordered his men deployed at the local port to strictly scrutinize incoming and outgoing cargoes to avert arms shipment plans by lawless elements.
He said the shipment of the M-16 rifle could be a test by those behind firearms smuggling in this part of the country.
Last week, Peralta's personnel have intercepted a shipment of 10 mortar ammunition from this city bound for Tawi-Tawi province.
