COTABATO CITY — Police in Koronadal City, South Cotabato province arrested on Thursday four heavily armed men and seized from them high-powered firearms and pistols.
Lt. Col. Hoover Antonio, Koronadal City police director, said the suspects came from Columbio town, Sultan Kudarat province, on board a white Toyota Fortuner. They were flagged down at a police checkpoint in Barangay Namnama at about 11 a.m. on July 11.
During plain view inspection, police officers found rifles and handguns inside the vehicle.
“When asked to present documents to prove they can legally possess firearms, the four could not produce any,” Antonio said in a radio interview on Friday. “So, we took custody of them.”
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Police confiscated from the suspects two M16 rifles, four caliber .45 pistols, 17 magazines, cartridge cases, two bandoliers, and their mobile phones.
Antonio said the suspects were heading to Banga town in South Cotabato, which is next to Koronadal City.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition are being prepared against the suspects.