THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 agents raided a firing range in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday, after receiving a complaint that the establishment allegedly used government-issued bullets.
Lawyer Augusto Eric Isidoro, NBI 7 assistant director, said they have identified the alleged suppliers, one of whom is a military officer.
Undercover agents noticed the bullets issued for the military were sold to foreigners and locals.
The agents were also reportedly offered with the bullets, added Isidoro.
During the raid, the agents also caught two barangay captains of Lapu-Lapu. The guns used by the two village chiefs at the firing range were reportedly unlicensed.
Isidoro refused to divulge the identities of the officials pending the resolution of their investigation.
He said the NBI 7 will wait for the licenses and documents of the firearms from the two officials.
The barangay officials may be charged with illegal possession of firearms if they fail to present proper documents.
Isidoro said the suppliers will also face charges.
The military officer, who was not caught, will be named respondent for violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the Office of the Ombudsman.
According to a TV5 Cebu report, the village chiefs are Joselito Tibon of Barangay Subabasbas and Evaristo Dihayco Jr. of Barangay Mactan.
Tibon said his gun was issued by the Lapu-Lapu City Government and he has documents to show that the firearm is legal.
Aside from two barangay officials, nine individuals, including Japanese national Kokushi Hirasawa who owns the firing range, were caught during the raid.
The operation was authorized by a court-issued search warrant.