THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested the suspected members of a gunrunning syndicate believed to have supplied firearms to the Islamic State-affiliated Maute terror group in Marawi City.
PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa on Tuesday identified groups' members as Romel Litan, alleged leader of the gang; Angelo Magcamit, Ramil Quinones and Christian Rey Quinones. They were presented to the media during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Last Saturday, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the National Capital Region conducted a search operation at the groups' lair in Purok 2, Barangay Sampaguita, Lipa City in Batangas province where the syndicate is illegally manufacturing and selling assembled and refurbished firearms.
At least 30 firearms, including counterfeit Spike's Tactical 5.56 calibre rifles worth over P100,000 each, several gun parts, ammunition and machines used in manufacturing firearms were found in the search.
Based on the investigation, Dela Rosa said the group had been illegally operating for over 20 years and have sold about 671 fake Spike's firearms since December 2015 to its clients who were mostly members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, politicians and criminal group based in Mindanao and NCR.
He said the items were transported with the assistance of his unidentified contacts who are active police and military personnel to Mindanao by means of Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel.
"Ito, 'yung baril na narecover, take note 'yung gun niya, 'yung spikes, 'yung seal, maaalala ninyo merong pictures dito, high powered firearms siezed in Marawi noong kasagsagan ng giyera sa Marawi, ito 'yung mga armas na narecover. Tingnan niyo ang kulay, ang tatak, 'yung brand, pareho. Meron pa dito the same ang tatak. The same ang kulay, the same sa design ng baril na narecover natin," said Dela Rosa.
"At saka 'yung isang worker niya, nagsabi na itong mga baril daw na talagang na-recover sa Marawi, galing daw sa kanila, siya ang nagpintura, siya ang nagkulay," he added.
On May 23, a firefight between the government forces and the Maute terror group ensued following the military's failed attempt to arrest top Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
The gunbattle has resulted in the declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao and suspension of writ of habeas corpus by President Rodrigo Duterte.
On June 17, government forces recovered 20 high powered firearms reportedly in areas occupied by the Maute terror group in Marawi City.
Meantime, CIDG director Ruel Obusan said cases for illegal manufacturing of firearms will be filed against the arrested individuals.
Authorities were also investigating who bought firearms from the group.
"Doon sa hawak naming record book (kung saan nakasulat) kung saan-saan napunta ang mga baril, may mga leads na tayo kung ilan ang napunta sa Marawi, ilan ang napunta sa politicians, pulis at sa military," he said. (SunStar Philippines)