Two army personnel were nabbed in Davao City on September 6, 2022 for separate incidents involving firearms violations.
During the Oplan Paglalansag Omega buy-bust operation of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group - Davao City Field Unit (CIDG-DCFU), a 36-year-old individual identified as Philippine Army personnel Ahmed Matawag was arrested for selling one unit of M16 rifle to a police poseur-buyer.
The buy-bust operation happened at around 2:57 pm at Riverfront City, Barangay Maa wherein the suspect was also caught in possession of two pieces of magazine for M16 (56 live ammo for M16), seven rounds of live ammo for caliber 9mm, and one unit of Fragmentation Grenade along with mobile phones and transaction money.
According to CIDG-DCFU, the suspect was brought to the Maa Police Station for temporary detention while charges against him are being prepared for filing through inquest proceedings.
“We condemn those who possess firearms without licenses and must surrender them to our office to lessen, if not eradicate, criminalities and illegal possession of Firearms,” CIDG-DCFU said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on September 8, 2022, a 26-year-old individual identified as Mohammad Kitig was arrested at the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril for possession of high-powered firearms.
Kitig is reportedly a private first class of the Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division but Davao City Police Office spokesperson PMaj. Teresita Gaspan said on Thursday, September 8 that they are still verifying whether this is true or not.
“Gi-confirm niya na member siya sa Philippine Army pero wala pa siya nakahatag og valid ID, based sa information sa Task Force Davao na gihatag kanato (He confirmed that he is a member of the Philippine Army but he did not provide a valid ID, according to Task Force Davao). We are waiting for his documents confirming na member siya sa Philippine Army,” Gaspan said during a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio on September 8, 2022.
According to the same PNA report, among the items confiscated from Kitig were four Carbine rifles, .45 caliber pistol, two upper receivers for R4 rifles, two lower receivers for R4 rifles, firearm clips, and ammunitions.
The spokesperson said that the suspect is already in the custody of the Brgy. Toril Police Station while filing a case against him is being prepared.
The two suspects may face charges violating Republic Act 10591 “An Act providing for a comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition and providing penalties for violations thereof” and Republic Act 9516 “An Act further amending the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, entitled codifying the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives.” ICM