POLICE caught an alleged gun runner in an entrapment in Sitio Cogon, Barangay Guinsay, Danao City on Thursday night, Oct. 8, 2020.
Suspect Ahmed Repaso Martel yielded 20 unlicensed firearms, locally known as “paltik.” The contraband’s worth was nearly P160,000, police said.
The Danao City Police Station learned that 15 of seized guns bore the name of legal gun dealer Armscor and a serial number of a firearm registered to a security agency based in Marbel City, South Cotabato.
The Armscor management examined the firearms and it disowned them. Its vice president and general manager, Joel Antonio Concepcion, told reporters on Friday, Oct. 9, that their products were copied by illegal gunsmiths in Danao City.
After finding that the gun serial number belongs to a security agency in South Cotabato, the Firearms and Explosives Office 7 will conduct its investigation.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro warned security agencies in Central Visayas not to commit an unlawful act by patronizing unlicensed firearms so they can save up on licensing fees.
Ferro said they will file complaints against security agencies that use unlicensed firearms.
“We would like to warn the different security agencies operating in Central Visayas that your police are not sleeping,” he said.
Martel will be facing a complaint for selling unlicensed firearms, a violation under Republic Act 10591. He will also be charged by Armscor for using its name without permission. (AYB / KAL)