Illegal firearms seized in Bulacan

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — Police seized assorted high-powered firearms and ammunition in three separate raids in Barangay Magmarale in San Miguel town yesterday, which also resulted in the arrest of two suspected members of a gun-for-hire syndicate.

Senior Superintendent Felizardo Serapio Jr., Bulacan police director, said that local police and elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recovered an M16 armalite rifle with six magazines, a Colt .38 caliber revolver and assorted bullets from the house of Severino Santos Sr.

He said the raiding team also recovered a .30 caliber Winchester Springfield rifle with three clips, a homemade .22 caliber machine pistol and ammunition from the house of Santos’ son Severino Jr. while a .30 caliber Winchester Springfield rifle with ammunition clips and bullets were recovered from the residence of Jose Edwin Cruz, also of the said barangay.

According to Serapio, the three suspects are believed members of the gun-for-hire syndicate, which is a potential threat this coming elections.

He said that the three are also suspected of involvement in the Nov. 17, 2003 killing of Ricarte Valdez, barangay captain of Pacalag.

The elder Serapio and Cruz are now detained at the Bulacan provincial jail and will be charged with violations of Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Serapio's son eluded arrest but is now a subject of a manhunt.