AUTHORITIES seized several high-powered firearms and ammunition from a suspect claiming to be a retired police brigadier general in an entrapment operation in Hinigaran Tuesday evening, June 29, 2021.
Hinigaran Municipal Police Station chief Major Jake Barila identified the suspect as Demosthenes Fernandez, 58, of Villa Angela Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.
Barila said they are still verifying an identification card (ID) of a police recovered from Fernandez.
Fernandez claimed that even if he is already retired from the police service, he is still helping the government in its anti-crime campaign.
The suspect claimed that he is connected with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
He also claimed that he ran out of money while conducting a surveillance of a vehicle allegedly involved in criminal activities in southern Negros Occidental.
"I was forced to sell my .99mm (millimeter) pistol because I have no more money," Fernandez said.
Barila said Fernandez has long been selling him firearms and ammunition.
Sold by Fernandez to Barila during the entrapment operation was one 9mm Caliber Ingram submachine pistol with two (2) magazine and 28 live ammunition of Caliber 9mm.
Also recovered from the suspect's vehicle during search incidental to lawful arrest was one Caliber 9mm submachine pistol, one revolver, one M14 riffle, one M16 riffle, one Caliber 40 Pistol, one 9mm Pistol and one revolver, 120 pieces of Caliber 5.56 ammos, 16 pieces of Caliber 7.62 ammo, 41 pieces of Caliber 45 ammo, 52 pcs Caliber 40 ammo, 16 pieces 9mm ammo, six magazine for m16 riffle, six magazine for Caliber 40, four magazine for Caliber 45, two magazine for 9mm machine pistol and one magazine for m14 riffle.
The suspect and recovered items were now under the custody of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Fernandez faces charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.