Soldier arrested for gunrunning in Misamis Oriental

RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier and his cohort were arrested for allegedly being involved in a gunrunning syndicate in Misamis Oriental, police said.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Austria Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit Northern Mindanao chief, said the arrested were Ricsmith Abella of the Philippine Army assigned with Army’s 4^th Infantry Division, and his accomplice, Ruel Cullamar.

The entrapment operation conducted on Monday night yielded one .45-cal pistol, two pieces of magazines for .45-cal pistol and P1,500 cash.

The suspects were arrested in Barangay (village) Poblacion, Opol town after they received money from a Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel who posed as a buyer of an unlicensed firearm around 7:20 p.m.

According to the Philippine National Police reports, the 27-year-old Abella, of Manticao town, and 35-year-old Cullamar, from Cagayan de Oro City, were allegedly engaged in gunrunning activities by selling firearms manufactured in Cebu province.

The suspects are being prepared for inquest pending charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866, as amended by Republic Act 8294, or Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunition and Bladed Weapons.