2 nabbed, firearms cache seized in Masbate raids

LEGAZPI CITY – Police arrested two persons and confiscated a firearms cache on Thursday in separate raids in Masbate City in Masbate province, police said Friday.

Marino Torrecampo, 54, a resident of Barangay (village) Nursery, and Antonio Barotil, 54, a gunsmith and welder of Barangay Kinamaligan were arrested by members of the Regional Special Operation Task Group (RSOTG) in raids in their respective residences, Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said.

The operatives armed with search warrants swooped on Torrecampo’s residence at 4:42 p.m.

Seized were two 9-mm pistols, caliber .45 revolver, caliber .32 pistol, a caliber .22 revolver, one-piece upper receiver for M16 rifle, two pieces butt for M16 rifles and assorted tools for gun repair.

While at the raid in Barotil’s house at 5 p.m., police seized a KG-9 sub-machine pistol, two caliber .45 pistols, five caliber .38 caliber revolvers, three caliber .22 pistols, a 9-mm handgun, a caliber .25 pistol, a caliber .32 pistol and assorted magazines and live ammunition.

Calubaquib said police investigators were still determining if the seized firearms were documented or considered loose firearms.

She said the suspects may face charges for violation of the gun ban imposed for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and illegal possession of firearms.