Palace: Punish police gunrunners

New People’s Army AP FILE PHOTO

Malacañang is backing the prosecution of police officials who were involved in the processing and licensing of over a thousand high-powered firearms meant for the police force but which were reportedly sold to communist rebels over the past two years.

“Certainly, if anyone is accountable then they should be put through the correct process so that their guilt can be determined, as well as the punishment,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a briefing.

The Philippine National Police is set to file charges against some officials who were complicit in the processing of the missing cache of firearms, allegedly sold to New People’s Army rebels for P52,000 each beginning 2011.

Police investigators began probing the illicit sale of arms after President Benigno Aquino III disclosed six months ago that a cache of AK-47 assault rifles disappeared after their papers were processed by the PNP.

Investigators zeroed in on offices that processed the documents of the firearms, including the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

Businessman Isidro Lozada, owner of a security agency, imported the AK-47s, and registered them with the FEO from 2011 to 2013. Police investigators claimed Lozada admitted selling these to the rebels for P52,000 each.

In clashes with rebels, Army soldiers recovered 44 AK-47s believed to be part of the missing cache. They bore serial numbers of the rifles Lozada imported.

Valte said the military was also expected to look into the sale of firearms to the rebels.

During a hearing of the House committee on public order and safety Wednesday, however, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop expressed doubts that 1,004 firearms meant for the police were sold to communist rebels as claimed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) report.

Acop asked CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong: “Are you trying to tell this representation that the NPA (New People’s Army) can pay P52 million for firearms?”

Acop claimed that it was “premature” for the CIDG to declare that the firearms ended up with the NPA considering that the supposed broker of the deal, Caraga Security Agency owner Lozada, has not disclosed his financier.

“Can Mr. Lozada buy this huge cache of firearms? Because if he’s not capable of spending P52 million for 1,004 firearms, then somebody must be behind his back, somebody who is moneyed,” said Acop.

Acop, a lawyer and former CIDG Director, filed House Resolution 772 seeking an inquiry into the missing firearms.

Acop urged Magalong to look deeper into other angles before making any conclusion.

He also wanted the committee to summon Twin Pines, Inc. General Manager Servando Topacio (who was present during the hearing) to submit the company’s Bills of Lading for the 23 transactions involving the 1,004 firearms it sold to Lozada.

Lozada was not present at the Wednesday hearing.

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