P1.5M WORTH OF LOOSE FIREARMS, TOOLS SEIZED
Police failed to arrest, though, the man behind the illegal gun-making business in the area. Village chief believes operator’s customers are involved in robbery and illegal drug trade. Police to do background check on the operator, mull filing criminal cases against him.
Several unlicensed firearms, parts and gun-making tools worth P1.5 million were seized from a makeshift tent in the mountain village of Masaba, Da- nao City around 1 p.m. yesterday.
Masaba Barangay Captain Sulpicio Entero Perez identified a certain Ronel Gomez as the operator of the illegal gun-mak- ing business, which started last month.
Gomez was not caught by the police.
The raid was carried out by the operatives of Danao City Police Station and Cebu Provincial Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch led by Superintendent Jaime Quiocho Jr. and Senior Inspector Nazarino Emia.
Some of the seized evidences include 10 .22 magnum revolvers, 14 .38 revolvers, nine .45 pistols, two .9mm pistols, a .22 ingram machine pistol with magazine, nine pistol magazines, 13 pistol barrels, three frames .46 pistols and two frames of .38 revolvers.
Police also confiscated 55 vise grips, two grinders, a welding mask, two push drills, a welding machine, a drilling machine, flat iron, round bar, steel saw and steel hammer.
Before the raid, Perez said his village watchman was the first person to report the illegal activity.
“Ako silang gibadlong kay dili ko mosugot nga ma-blacklisted ang among barangay,” he said in a phone interview. “Dili sila patuo. Ako pay gipangutana kon makahatag ko nilag trabaho.”
Perez then reported it to Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano III.
He believed that Gomez’s customers are involved in criminal activities like robbery and illegal drug trade.
He said there were illegal gunmakers in the village in the past, but they have stopped after other police units raided them.
Quiocho and Emia will be checking the background of Gomez, who will face criminal complaints. /