TWO gun makers in Danao City were raided by police at different locations and dates, but only one was arrested while the other escaped.
The first operation took place on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Purok 5, Barangay Masaba in Danao City, resulting in the arrest of a 46-year-old suspect who is a construction worker.
Members of the Danao City Police Station seized several unfinished pistols and pistol barrels, bullets, magazines, and equipment used for making firearms such as a lathe machine, grinder, welding machine, and other metalworking tools.
The suspect is currently in police custody at the Danao City Police Station.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, another operation targeting a gun manufacturer was conducted by the police in Sitio Patag, Barangay Manlayag in the same city.
However, upon arrival at the suspect’s house, the suspect had already escaped. The police have since launched a manhunt operation to capture him.
Nevertheless, the police recovered one unfinished rifle, a .22 caliber revolver, assorted bullets and magazines, and tools used in firearm manufacturing.
Police Captain Dun Blane Tabares, information officer of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, said the Danao City police received reports about illegal firearms being made in two separate huts in the area, prompting them to investigate and place the sites under surveillance.
During the operation, personnel successfully arrested the 46-year-old suspect, but the other gun maker, believed to be guarding the site, escaped.
Tabares acknowledged that the suspects inherited the gun-making trade from their family.
Police Colonel Jovito Atanacio, chief of the Cebu provincial police, said the successful operations show their strong commitment to curbing the spread of unlicensed firearms to protect the community from its dangers.
‘These successful operations reflect our firm commitment to dismantling illegal firearm networks and protecting our communities from the dangers they pose. The discovery of these manufacturing sites is a clear message that we will not tolerate the spread of unlicensed firearms in the province. We will continue to intensify our intelligence efforts and law enforcement actions to ensure a safer and more secure Cebu Province,” said Atanacio.
The Danao police have prepared charges for violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, against the two suspects. (AYB)