Australian to face illegal firearms suit for smuggled guns

THE Australian national who admitted owner P400 thousand worth of firearms seized in the Cebu Port may face illegal possession of firearms case.

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon said, Ronald Banks can be held liable of violating Philippine firearm laws as he admitted ownership to the guns found in a container van last January 10.

Biazon said they are preparing a case against the foreigner who is married to Filipina and residing in Cebu.

The firearms that were seized by authorities included a .357 Strum Ruger high-powered revolver, a 9mm caliber pistol with two magazines, a. 22 caliber, an M-16 high-powered rifle and ammunitions.

Customs authorities in Cebu have already asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue a hold departure against Banks.

Banks was the consignee of a container van when the illegal firearms were found last January 10 on board the sea vessel M/V Titian.

Meanwhile, Customs investigators found that the consignees of the 20 container vans of smuggled rice and sugar are fictitious companies. Customs authorities are however trying to identify the customs broker that facilitated the illegal shipment.

Anti-piracy agents of the Bureau of Customs are still doing inventory on the P100 million worth counterfeit goods seized from store in Lapu-Lapu City last Wednesday.