MANILA -- The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army will conduct a joint probe on the couple, who were arrested for allegedly supplying firearms and ammunition to local terrorist groups in Mindanao - as well as to “rogue” politicians – during an entrapment operation in Valenzuela City.
“I have already coordinated with the commanding general of 7th ID (Infantry Division) and nakapagkasunduan nga na (it was agreed upon that) we will be conducting a joint investigation and they are so much willing to cooperate in the investigation,” Albayalde told reporters in an ambush interview Tuesday.
“This is a serious matter. Kung talagang totoo na nanggaling doon sa arsenal nila ito napaka delikado nito, napakarami. (If it is true that these came frome their arsenal, it is really dangerous. These are lots of weapons.) Almost 13,000 rounds (of) ammunition and high powered firearms are coming there and these are going into the hands of the terrorists and even criminal groups especially in Mindanao,” Albayalde stressed.
Albayalde said the operation stemmed from intelligence information provided by PNP units in Mindanao regarding arms sales provided by a civilian informant.
“Further intelligence research revealed that Medel also figured in previous arms transaction with buyers from Mindanao. A subsequent test buy was conducted wherein NCRPO operatives were able to obtain ammunition from Medel, who also assured them he can also supply as many as 10 rifles,” he said.
Albayalde said the couple has agreed to meet the police officer, who served as the poseur- buyer for the pickup of PHP1.2 million worth of firearms and ammunition.
Seized during the operation were two assault rifles, a handgun and 12,893 rounds of live ammunition for M-60 light machine gun and M-16 assault rifle.
The PNP said initial investigation showed that among the couple’s clients were the Maute terrorists and the Abu Sayyaf Group, as well as politicians who uses arms to gain advantage over their competitors, particularly as the mid-term election nears.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is now conducting its own investigation on how weapons and ammunition intended for the military landed in the hands of the couple.
"Yes, the (Philippine) Army is already on it," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.
He added that the military investigation will start from the initial probe of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which took custody of those caught in possession of the weapons and ammunition.
"In (the) light of the recent PNP apprehension of gunrunners in (Valenzuela) and the recovery of firearms with ammunition stamped with AFP markings, the AFP is conducting an immediate investigation to verify the source of these firearms and ammunition. While we can already confirm that the captured firearms are not in our inventory, only a thorough inventory of our ammunition stocks will confirm whether there are losses in our stocks that could have fallen to the hands of these gunrunners," Detoyato noted.
Detoyato also said the markings on the ammunition boxes will play a key role in the ongoing investigation.
"Also from the markings on the boxes of the ammo packaging so that the unit source can be traced. If its imported, or from (the) Government Arsenal, it has its lot numbers that can be used to trace the issuing unit. The paper trail can be followed," the AFP public affairs office chief said.
He also assured the implementation of strict handling and control of ammunition, as well as the conduct of periodic inventory and wall-to-wall counting to account for each and every cartridge. (PNA)
