Gun-for-hire group "leader" nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - The suspected leader of a gun-for-hire group was arrested by the police on Friday afternoon at Sito Ibabao, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Herman Baguio Tampan, 21, of the said place, was arrested in a joint operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) -7 and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office at around 2:45 p.m.

Chief Insp. Fermin Armandarez, team leader of the operation, told The FREEMAN that they received a tip from a concerned citizen in Lapu-Lapu City prompting them to place Tampan under surveillance for a few days while securing the warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 27 Judge Toribio Quiwag for violating the firearms law.

A cal. 45 pistol and a cal. 38 revolver, with several ammunitions for each firearm, were seized from Tampan’s residence.

Tampan, who was apprehended outside his house, denied ownership of the guns.

Armandarez said Tampan reportedly heads a gun-for-hire group composed of four men who operates within the Metro Cebu area.

“The group only works small time. If they do not have any clients, they would involve themselves with robbery,” he said. 

Tampan’s group has also been tagged responsible for robbing an American National late last year. This, however, has yet to be verified. The suspect is currently detained at the CIDG-7 stockade while the operatives are continuing their search for Tampan’s cohorts.

The successful arrest of Tampan is part of CIDG’s campaign against organized crime groups and criminal gangs known as Oplan Salikop which aims to account for most wanted persons.

This has been described as a huge success in CIDG’s fight against crimes during the first quarter of 2012.

CIDG-7 urged the public to participate in their efforts in tracking down criminal elements to maintain peace and order across the region. (FREEMAN)