PNP nabs couple allegedly supplying arms, ammo to terrorist groups

Assault firearms and thousands of ammunition rounds believed to be the property of the Philippine Army were seized by police authorities from a couple during an entrapment operation in Valenzuela City Monday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) received a tip from a confidential informant that the couple, Edgardo Medel, 46, and his wife Rosemarie, 34, of Daisy Street, Land Ville Subdivision, BarangayPambuan, Gapan, Nueva Ecija, were supplying bulk of unlicensed firearms and ammunition for a hefty price to Maute terrorists, the Abu Sayyaf Group and rogue politicians.

Elements of NCRPO-Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) and Regional Intelligence Division (RID) apprehended the suspects after buying two assault rifles, a handgun, and 12, 893 rounds of live ammunition worth 11.2 million.

The transaction occurred around 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the service station along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) while the couple were onboard an L300 van (REV 675).

Albayalde said the three minor children of the couple who were inside the vehicle during the buy bust were turned over to social workers following the arrest of their parents.

The firearms and ammunition presented by Albayalde in Camp Crame, Quezon City Monday afternoon were stored in two crates showing markings of the Philippine Army (PA).

Albayalde revealed the couple were in contact with a retired AFP soldier, who may have been the source of the high-powered firearms and ammunition which they were selling to interest groups.

The PNP chief wuitheld the identity of the retired soldier.

"I just cannot imagine the death and destruction that will result should these war materials fall into the hands of the New People's Army or the Abu Sayyaf Group," Albayalde said.

"Part of the continuing investigation will be to determine the source of these weapons and ammunition, and to possibly identify other persons involved," he added.

The suspects who are facing charges in relation to Republic Act 10591 were brought to the NCRPO headquarters.

FIREPOWER – Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde (right) and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar inspect at Camp Crame in San Juan City a huge cache of firearms and ammunition that were seized from Edgardo Medel and Rose Marie Medel, alleged suppliers of the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group.