Police arrest man carrying ammo for guns, grenade launcher at MRT 3 Taft station

January 17, 2020

Police arrested a man who tried to enter the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Taft station while carrying ammunition for guns and a grenade launcher last Thursday night.


A report from the Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as Xavier John Sumaya, 26,  an electronics engineer.


Initial investigation disclosed personnel from Baclaran Police Community Precinct received a complaint from the MRT-3 station’s guard after she noticed that his belongings contained ammunition when it passed through the X-ray machine.


Confiscated from Sumaya were ammunition for M203 grenade launcher, M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a .40 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber pistol, and 9 mm pistol.


In a text message to the Daily Manila Shimbun,  Police Colonel Bernard Yang, the Pasay City police chief said the suspect did not reply when investigators asked him where he got the items.


“The arrested suspect does not want to speak why he is carrying the  ammunition,” Yang said.


Yang said they are conducting background check on Sumaya who is under their custody.


The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday said they filed charges against the suspect.


“The DOTr MRT-3 has filed several complaints against Sumaya for violating RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Ammunition and Explosives,” it said in a statement.


DOTr reminded the public that they are implementing stricter security measure within their premises. It asked persons to remain vigilant and report immediately to their security personnel the presence of suspicious items, activities, and even individuals inside trains and stations. Ella Dionisio/DMS