3 of 13 ‘gecko traders’ nabbed in QC yield illegal guns

MANILA, Philippines—Twelve men and a woman, who claimed to be in the “tuko” (gecko) buy-and-sell business were arrested by police at a restaurant in North Fairview, Quezon City Sunday night but three of the suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

Operatives from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 5, who acted on a tip from a concerned citizen, rushed to the Bulalo Fiesta Restaurant on Commonwealth Ave. and accosted the suspects, three of whom yielded several firearms and ammunition without permits.

Police confiscated a .45 cal. firearm from Nestor Castañeda, a 9mm pistol and an M-16 from Alexander Apostol, two 9mm handguns from Billy Apostol and loaded magazines.

Police said Castañeda , 46, of Alcala, Pangasinan and Alexander Apostol, 37, of Capas, Tarlac were allegedly businessmen while Billy Apostol, 59, claimed to be a farmer from Capas, Tarlac.

QCPD Station 5 commander Superintendent Edgardo Pamittan said that Castañeda and the two Apostols could not show proper documents for the guns and will face charges of illegal possession of firearms as stipulated under Presidential Decree 1866.

Pamittan said the 10 others were released Monday because they had no other criminal records.

All 13 claimed they were in the business of gecko trading and that they were in the metro to “talk about business” at the restaurant, with their “agents.” But they did not have any gecko with them at the time of the arrest, Pamittan said.

The others arrested were identified as Edwin Tucay, 46; Virgilio Lim, 52, both of Manaog, Pangasinan; and Ronald Cuson, 48, of Ambubao, Pangasinan who onboard a dark green Toyota Hi-Ace (plate no. AEC 438).

With Billy Apostol onboard a black Mitsubishi Adventure (RJB 866) were Benito Apostol, 52, and Ferdinand Apostol, 39, also both from Capas.

In a green Nissan Urvan (ZNP 740) were Mark Alvin Sevilla, 27, of Pangabon, Nueva Ecija; Christopher Valdez, 32, of Barangay Doña Josefa, Quezon City; and Florante Santos, 40, of Sto. Niño, Marikina City.

With Castañeda and Alexander Apostol in a gray Honda Civic (ZLA-164) were Zaldy Bataan, 49, of Alcala, Pangasinan and Roselyn Hernandez, 55, of Capas, Tarlac,

QCPD Chief Superintendent George Regis said Castañeda and Billy and Alexander Apostol will be presented for inquest in Quezon City.