Cops with loose firearms will be arrested: NCRPO

November 5, 2019

The National Capital Region Police Office ( NCRPO) on Tuesday said “nobody is excused” if loose firearms will be found in their custody.

The statement of Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, acting NCRPO director, came after cops arrested another three members of a militant group in Manila early Tuesday morning.

Sinas said cops from Manila Police District and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have two search warrants against the arrested suspects.

“We have a search warrant. There is a recovery (of firearms and explosives). Anybody, even those who are here if we find you have firearms ,we will raid you,” he said.

“Nobody is excused. We are not choosing (whom to arrest). Anybody who will be reported possessing illegal and unlicensed firearms which we consider as loose firearms... any of our units could apply ( for) search warrant,” he added

Sinas said the CIDG verified the report that’s why they applied for a search warrant.

He also said it’s the CIDG’s mandate under Oplan Boga, which targets unregistered and unlicensed firearms in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements and the civilian population, as well as firearms with expired or unrenewed licenses.

“So as local, we always (provide) support units in the implementation of their operations especially search warrants,” he said.

Around 1:15 am, operatives implemented search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives at Bayan Manila’s office in Tondo  which resulted to the arrest of three alleged members of Bayan Manila, Manila Workers Unity and Kadamay Manila.

Sinas identified them as Ram Carlo Paculba Bautista, Alma Estrada Moran, and Reina Mae Asis Nasino.

Authorities recovered three firearms, four magazines, 61 ammunitions, two grenades, 11 cellular phones, two laptops, and two identification cards which are not under the names of the arrested suspects.

“As to the background, the district director is now coordinating to check what is the background of these personalities. We don’t know where they are connected,” he said.

Just like with the arrest of two militant members last October 31, the acting NCRPO chief said they only found out they are part of militant groups after a protest in front of the MPD office.

On the claim police  planted evidence, Sinas said they could not plant firearms such as bushmaster and colt MK4.

“They are expensive,” he said.

“That is their alibi and so be it. Anyway, our investigators are doing fine and (once) they file a case then they (militants) could have it as their defense in the court. We will not comment on their allegations,” he said.

Sinas said the NCRPO and Camp Crame are monitoring activities of militant groups through their special units.

“We are monitoring them. It’s normal ( activity),” he said.

Human rights group Karapatan “vehemently condemns” what they called Gestapo-like raid.

“Operatives are now trying to cover their tracks by taking on a semblance of legality, but these arbitrary arrests following raids are far from lawful,” Karapatan said in a statement.

“Again, we reiterate - whatever evidence is planted, the police and government narrative defies logic and those who enforce and abetted these patently illegal moves, including judges, should be held to account. These are brazen violations of the right to association and other civil liberties,” it added. Ella Dionisio/DMS