US Customs to help trace source of mutineers’ arms

US Customs officials will help the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) trace the source of arms and communications equipment used by rebel soldiers in taking over an apartment building and shopping mall in Makati City last July 27.

Lawyer Ricardo Diaz, chief of the NBI-International Police, said US authorities will file charges against American citizens who are found to have facilitated the purchase and shipment of the arms and equipment.

"They assured us that they are very interested in the case," he said.

"So we are now coordinating with the (Intelligence Services of the Armed forces of the Philippines) to get some evidence to help trace people, who could have helped in the mutiny by providing mutineers their equipment," he said.

Diaz said the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security need receipts, pictures of the items, the brands and models of the backpacks, serial number of the communications gadgets and firearms recovered from the mutineers.

"Although the backpacks are open for everybody, but according to them, if the importation (of the items) was for the purpose of staging a coup, that is also punishable in their own country," he said.

"We can assure you that we’re doing everything to determine who are the people in this adventurism."

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said they are coordinating with the FBI and Homeland Security to help in the investigation of the failed July 27 military uprising.

The FBI has reportedly asked the NBI to gather all the receipts and documents involved in the purchase of the arms and equipment to make it easier for them to trace the source.

The government has also asked the help of Homeland Security, a new department formed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York and the Pentagon.– Cecille Suerte Felipe