Two women charged for gun smuggling

The Mandaue City Prosecutor's Office yesterday filed five counts of illegal possession of firearms against two women who allegedly engaged in gun smuggling.

According to P/SInsp. Roger Mangaoang, station chief of the 701st Philippine National Police Maritime, the city prosecutor's office recommended a P200,000 bail each for Letty Tuason and Edeliza Manit for their temporary liberty.

Tuason and Manit, both residents of Suba, Danao City, were apprehended last Sunday by maritime police while trying to smuggle at least ten .45 pistols and a KG 99 sub-machinegun inside M/V Butuan Bay 1 at Gothong Wharf (Pier 7) in Mandaue City.

The five counts of illegal possession of firearms were forwarded to the Mandaue City Regional Trial Court.

Despite the interrogations, Mangaoang said the accused refused to cooperate with them about the real owners of the smuggled firearms. "Ayaw talaga magsalita at hindi natin sila puwede mapuwersa."

Elements of the maritime police arrested the suspects while conducting a routinary baggage inspection at the pier.

Aside from Mangaoang, the arresting officers included SPO3 Rodrigo Cantero, PO3 Alejandro Palapar, PO1 Homer Sabrido, PO1 Reynaldo Eldian and PO1 Ma. Lucille Arca.

Confiscated from Tuason's possession were .9mm Luger with no serial number, two empty magazines and a silencer of KG 99, and four .45 pistols with serial numbers 392725, 973516, 612248, 429735.

Seized from Manit were five .45 pistols with serial numbers 22357, 83757, 4702070, 125678 and 229357.

The unlicensed firearms reportedly came from Danao City and were supposed to be shipped out to Ozamiz City. - Ramil V. Ayuman