From home of gun enthusiast: NBI agents seize assorted firearms

CEBU, Philippines – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) swooped down on the residence of a gun enthusiast early yesterday and confiscated assorted firearms.

The agents, armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Soliver Peras, went to the house of Nicholas Robert Granthom along V. Ranudo St., barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City.

NBI-7 Special Investigator Arnel Pura said that they seized a CZ 9 mm pistol, a Walther P22 with silencer, a HK 9 mm pistol, a Walther G22 rifle, and a KWC airsoft pistol.

Also confiscated were 10 pieces M-16 magazines, three boxes of Remington 9 mm ammunition, another box containing live ammunition of 9mm, one box assorted M-16 bullets, one box containing caliber .45 ammunition, one caliber .45 barrel, and 41 pieces of caliber .45 ammunition.

The agents also took nine pieces of combat knives, five holsters, four digital weighing scales, assorted small plastic sachets, assorted tablets, and four transparent plastic with Chinese characters containing stubs.

The search was done in the presence of Granthom and witnessed by barangay captain Omar Durano.

Pura said that Granthom has been under surveillance since April and the search warrant was issued last Thursday.

The warrant was issued on the grounds that there was probable, compelling and justifiable cause to believe that the offense of Violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by section 1 of Republic Act 8294 otherwise known as Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition was committed by the subject.

"There are good and sufficient reasons to believe that he is in possession, custody and control of unlicensed firearms specifically M16 A1 Rifle, two units AK47, Styler AUG Rifle, 5.56 three Rifle, M1 Garand, Berreta Rifle, three shot gun, three pieces cal .45 pistols including live bullets.

Several of the high-powered firearms listed were not, however, found during the raid.

Pura said that charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against Granthom in the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

Granthom did not deny owning the firearms, but said that they are all licensed.

Lawyer Noel Archival, counsel of Granthom, said that his client will face the charges as the guns are legal.

'Gun Runner' Charged

Charges for illegal possession of firearms were filed against Joel Almadin Laurente of barangay Upland, Danao City, who was caught at a police checkpoint last Monday night.

Laurente, 31, works a triskad driver, but allegedly was paid to transport guns from Danao City to Pier 3.

Seized from him were several Danao-made firearms that he was supposed to hand over to a certain Tata at Pier 3 to take to Ormoc City, Leyte.

The suspect also claimed that it was the second time he transported firearms from Danao to the pier. - /NLQ (FREEMAN)