Guns seized in Inabanga drug raid up for ballistics

CEBU, Philippines - The firearms confiscated from suspected drug pushers, who were killed during a shootout with the police in Inabanga, Bohol last Sunday, will be submitted to laboratory examinations.

Superintendent Romer Dagono, chief of the Regional Crime Laboratory-7, said all the firearms will be subjected to ballistic examinations. The firearms included an M16 rifle, shotgun, KG-9 machine pistol, caliber .22 rifle, and four caliber .45 pistols.  

Also submitted for laboratory tests are several fired cartridges of 9mm and caliber .45.

Dagono said the purpose of the examination is to determine whether the confiscated firearms were fired during the alleged shootout.

A macro-etching examination will also be done to check on whether the serial numbers have been tampered with and to find out whether these were previously registered to someone.

The results of the tests will be compared with the data base of the police to find out whether these were used in any crimes before.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador said the firearms were necessary for a drug lord to protect his operation.

"Kung nag-deal ka og shabu you have to protect your business, sa pagkolekta kinahanglan ka'g armas," Comendador explained why the suspects were in possession of high-powered guns.

"Kaning mga pusil ang gigamit pangandam di sa ginagmay lang they are buying these firearms nga mosukol sa pulis," he added.

Regional Intelligence Division- 7 chief Superintendent Rex Derilo said suspected drug pusher David Anunciado, who was one of those killed during the encounter, was a big drug player operating in Bohol province.

He was allegedly capable of selling at least five kilos of shabu every week. — (FREEMAN)