Man nabbed for selling guns to Ilocos politicians

MANILA, Philippines - A man suspected of supplying guns to politicians in the Ilocos region was arrested Wednesday in a combined military and police raid on his house in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Philippine Marines spokesman Capt. Alden Gwyn Amargo identified the suspect as Miguel Jimenez, who has been passing himself off as Marine 1Lt. Michael “Mike” Jimenez, a resident of Palmera Homes in Barangay Sta. Monica.

Amargo said Jimenez’s house reportedly doubled as his gun workshop and firearms storage. His personal gunsmith, identified as Gerald Sarsola, was also arrested.

According to Amargo, Marine troops got involved in the Novaliches operations after receiving reports that an active Marine officer was engaged in gunrunning, especially catering to the firearms need of local candidates in the coming May 10 elections in Ilocos region.

Among Jimenez’s reported clients are a gubernatorial candidate, two congressional candidates and two mayoralty candidates.

When Marine troops and Quezon City policemen served a search warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 100, they recovered three baby Armalites and assorted bullets from the second floor of Jimenez’s house.

They also found various gun parts and accessories including three M-16 rifle barrels, five Bushmaster barrels, two Bushmaster upper receivers, an M16 rifle butt assembly, an M16 rifle lower assembly, five M16 rifle bolt assemblies, two M16 rifle charging handles, one M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) bipod, a military helmet and several sets of battle dress attire.

Also recovered were a bag containing fake military documents, three car registration plates and tools and equipment used by the suspect and his personal gunsmith to manufacture high-powered firearms.

“We found out that Jimenez is not a registered owner, manufacturer and dealer of firearms and ammunition based on the verifications made at the Firearms and Explosive Division of the Philippine National Police,” Amargo said in a press statement.

Authorities said Jimenez, who has never been a member of the Philippine Marines, has a frustrated murder case pending before a Quezon City court, Amargo added.

The Quezon City RTC Branch 100, on the other hand, has set a P200,000 bail for Jimenez’s release.