CEBU, Philippines - A suspected gunrunner who claims to be a soldier was arrested Friday night in Danao City by the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 for possession of several firearms including an assault rifle.
Somala Marohombsar, 43, from Quezon City and a native of Lanao del Norte, was arrested by the CIDG-7 team led by Chief Inspector Rene Kyamko in Barangay Cogon, Danao City.
Kyamko's team was supposed to serve a warrant of arrest in the place when they chanced upon Marohombsar carrying a backpack with the muzzle of the firearm protruding outside.
The police called Marohombsar's attention but the latter tried to run away.
"Padulong sa iyang awto, naglakaw mi kay barangay road man nah, walay resistance pero mi-aksyon siya og dagan," Kyamko said.
The police found an M16 rifle and a magazine loaded with four (4) bullets and three (3) caliber .9mm Black Widow revolver inside the backpack. Another .9mm Beretta pistol tucked in his waist was also seized by the police.
The suspect failed to show documents as proof that his possession of the firearms was authorized by law. Kyamko said that it is likely that the firearms were assembled in Danao but he requested the PNP Crime Laboratory to check it.
In an interview, the suspect told the media that he is a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based in Luzon.
Kyamko said that he will coordinate with the AFP for proper verification of the suspect's identity.
Kyamko said that Marohombsar admitted that he bought the firearms in Danao City and planned to sell it in Luzon. The suspect however refused to cooperate with the police when asked on the identity of his contact in Danao City.
According to the police, the firearms recovered from the suspect are estimated to be worth P100,000. The CIDG said the suspect will face criminal complaints for violation of the Republic Act 8294 as amended by R.A. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
He will also face administrative complaint if found true that he is an active member of the AFP.—(FREEMAN)