2 ‘gun smugglers’ charged
Charges of illegal possession of firearms have been filed against the two men who allegedly tried to smuggle firearms on board a bus owned by a town in Samar last July 19.
Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office, said 15 counts of illegal possession of firearms have been filed against the two who identified themselves as Joel Pedrosa, 50, of Barangay Tinabanan, and Herman Gagmatan, 31, resident of Barangay Binokyahan, both in Marabut town.
“Na-file na ang kaso apan wala pa’y resolution kung pila ang bail or kung papiyansahon pa sila,” Ricabo said.
Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Joemar Pomarejos, Waterfront Police Station chief, said the interrogation of the suspects is still ongoing.
“Ana sila (suspects) that they are from that place pero we are still conducting further investigation para ma-verify ang ilang full identity,” Pomarejos said.
He also added that they are still trying to contact the Municipality of Marabut to validate if the suspects were really their employees, as they claimed.
Authorities were also waiting for the Metro Truck and Heavy Equipment to cooperate in the case.
The bus is now being held at the CCPO headquarters. It will be released as soon as the court orders, said Ricabo.
Ricabo also said the confiscated guns were confirmed unregistered.
“After atong na-arrest sila, nangayo sad ta’g certification sa Firearms and Explosives Unit nga kung kani nga firearms licensed ba ni or naa ba ni record sa PNP, pero wala,” Ricabo said.
Chief Inspector Hector Amancia, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 deputy chief, said they are still conducting ballistic examination to trace the origin of the guns.