7 alleged gunrunners held in Quezon City, Pasig

MANILA, Philippines — Seven suspected gunrunners were arrested in Quezon City and Pasig, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported yesterday.

Three of the suspects were apprehended by police under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz in Quezon City on Saturday.

Garry Advincula, 32; Joseph Lingotan, 36, and Ric Gallinera, 40, were nabbed in an entrapment operation along Agham Road in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa at around 1:30 a.m.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, chief of the CIDG National Capital Region field unit, said the suspects are believed to be members of a crime ring, which is also involved in swindling and drug pushing in different areas in Quezon City.

Authorities arrested the trio after they allegedly sold a .38-caliber handgun to a policeman in exchange for money.

Aside from an unlicensed firearm, the suspects also yielded a cell phone, which they used in the transactions.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Omnibus Election Code will be filed against the suspects.

Four more alleged gunrunners were collared in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig on Friday.

They were Marcelino Obra, 46; Mark Obra, 23; Catherine Buenio, 40, and Reynaldo Ricamara Jr., 40.

Police said they recovered from the suspects two unlicensed .38-caliber handguns.

According to police, the suspects belonged to a criminal group operating in eastern Metro Manila.