PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. presents to members of the media the firearms and ammunition confiscated from an unlicensed gun dealer recently arrested in Marikina City (INQUIRER.net/ Faith Argosino)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday reported the arrest of an unlicensed gun dealer who yielded 53 firearms, ammunition, and tools/machines used in manufacturing firearms.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. did not reveal the name of the gun dealer but reported that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives collared him and uncovered the cache of unlicensed firearms — 26 long and 27 short firearms — last September 29 in Marikina City.
“The arrested person had no license to operate a firearms business and had not submitted any application to the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office for dealing and manufacturing firearms,” Acorda said in a press briefing.
Aside from his gun store, the suspect also uses social media platforms to trade unlicensed firearms — catering to “high-profile gun enthusiasts, politicians with alleged private armies, and some uniformed personnel from the police and military,” the PNP chief added.
Acorda presented the seized firearms and ammunition to members of the media. The guns and ammunition will be returned to the Firearms and Explosive Office for safekeeping.
The unlicensed gun dealer will face a criminal complaint for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.