Lawmaker asked to explain side in Bilibid gun scandal

MANILA, Philippines – Guimaras Representative Joaquin Carlos Nava should explain why a gun registered under his name ended up inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

Police Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) has formally sent a letter to Nava to ask for his explanation.

During the raid at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on December 15 at Bilibid, a caliber .22 Walther pistol, with serial number 2004605, was seized from drug convict Peter Co, who is detained at the maximum security compound of the NBP.

Nava, however, has denied knowing Co and said he left his gun for repair at a firearms and ammunitions store at the Makati Cinema Square.

The lawmaker added that he already asked the gun store to shed light on the matter.

Mayor said Nava’s gun is only one of five firearms seized from Co during a raid at the national penitentiary.

The police official added that the PNP would also summon the registered owners of the firearms seized from Co. Authorities also found that the gun licenses were also expired.