Southern Police District (SPD) policemen have arrested two suspected gunrunners who claimed to be members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
Police Superintendent Jaime Calungsud identified the suspects as Orlando Pablico, 48, married, jobless, and a resident of St. Joseph Subdivision in Pasig City; and Ursenio Faburada, 50, married, technical staff of an oil mill company, and a resident of Taguig City.
The SPD caught Pablico and Faburada in an entrapment operation in coordination with the ISAFP Sunday night at a Pasig City mall.
“An asset gave information that the suspects are set to meet a potential buyer of the guns they have been selling. Upon arrival in the area, the suspects introduced themselves as members of the ISAFP to police operatives who were disguised as buyers. While they were handing over the payment, the other members of the team immediately pounced on the suspects,” Calungsud said.
Confiscated from Pablico were a .45 caliber SAM pistol; one homemade .38 caliber power custom Magnum; and several fake ISAFP identification cards bearing the suspects’ names. Seized from Faburada were a .45 caliber ANAD and several fake ISAFP identification cards.
The two men will be charged with the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents, usurpation of authority, and using a fictitious name.
Pablico will also be charged with illegal use of uniforms and insignia for wearing an ISAFP uniform.
The two men are currently detained at the SPD headquarters.
Calungsud said that they will conduct follow-up operations to track down the suspects’ companions.
“We were also able to secure a certification from the ISAFP that Pablico and Faburada are not their members,” he added.