(Photo courtesy of CIDG)
MANILA – Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested an active police officer and a former security guard for selling illegal firearms and ammunition in Batangas.
In a statement issued on Friday, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. identified the suspects as Senior Master Sgt. Carlito Escorsa Jr., assigned at the Sto. Tomas City Police Station, and his cohort Ramil Esperanzate.
The suspects yielded one M16 Rifle (Colt), five pieces of long steel magazine for M16 rifle, two pieces of short steel magazine for M16 rifle, two pieces of ammunition guide for M16 rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition for M16 rifle, two pieces of cellular phones, and the boodle money in an operation in Barangay San Antonio in Sto. Tomas City on Wednesday.
“Itong mga suspek ay gumagamit ng social media o online communication sa pagbebenta ng mga hindi lisensiyadong baril, na nakarating sa aming kaalaman kaya’t nagsagawa kami ng buy-bust operation na matagumpay naman na naisakatuparan (These suspects were using social media or online communication to sell unlicensed firearms, which came to our knowledge so we conducted a buy-bust operation which was successfully carried out)," Caramat said.
Caramat said the arrested suspects -- now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act -- and confiscated evidence were brought to CIDG Batangas PFU Office for documentation and proper disposition.
“Under the directive of our PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., in the implementation of aggressive law enforcement even against our personnel who will refuse to toe the line, the CIDG will continue to intensify its campaign against loose firearms throughout the region to curb the spread of criminality and provide order and security to our community," he added. (PNA)
