Gunrunning suspect nabbed in Sta. Ana

A suspected gunrunner was arrested Monday during one of the city government’s anti-crime drives in Sta. Ana, Manila.

The arrest of Glen Quizon, 36, was in compliance with Mayor Alfredo Lim’s order to clear the city’s streets of criminals, according to Chief Inspector Alexander Navarette, who heads the Mayor’s Special Action Team (MSAT) of the Manila Police District.

Navarette has instructed his men to conduct more frequent patrols of crime-prone areas in Manila, especially the Sta. Ana district, following reports of rampant robberies there.

“I was also informed that a gun deal was about to transpire in the area, so I deployed plainclothes policemen for surveillance and monitoring,” Navarette said.

At around 5 p.m. Monday, MSAT operatives observed Quizon riding a bicycle near the corner of Onyx and Diamante streets, the grip of a pistol protruding from his waistband.

MSAT police officers blocked the rider, introduced themselves as policemen, and frisked Quizon, who yielded a Browning .9mm pistol with seven bullets. Police also found that Quizon, a resident of 1412 Pablo Ocampo Sr. (formerly Vito Cruz) Extension in Makati City, bore a tattoo of the Bahala na Gang.

Quizon admitted he was on his way to meet a buyer for the gun when the police arrested him. He claimed he had also sold an Ingram machine automatic pistol last month.

Navarette said Quizon, who is also facing illegal drug charges, is currently being questioned on the source of the firearms and his list of buyers.

Navarette is calling on robbery victims to go to the City Hall’s District Special Police Unit, where Quizon is detained, because the suspect may be involved in the series of robberies in Sta. Ana.

Quizon has been charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.