PNP reshuffles 4 top cops

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. yesterday announced the reassignment of four ranking PNP officials.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, who previously served as chief of the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), has been appointed as acting director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A, which covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Lucas will assume the post previously held by Brig. Gen. Carlito Gaces, who is set to retire on Oct. 15.

Brig. Gen. Roger Quesada will take over as acting FEO chief, replacing Lucas.

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the current chief of PNP Engineering Services, will assume the post of acting PRO 10 director.

Layug will be replaced by Col. Florendo Gerdan Jr., according to the PNP.

Loose guns

Meanwhile, the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confiscated 56 firearms from an unlicensed gun dealer in Marikina on Friday.

The CIDG conducted the operation after two search warrants were issued by a Marikina court.

The CIDG said long and short firearms, assorted ammunition and gun components were seized when police raided the suspect’s residence and store.

The suspect failed to present the necessary permits for the firearms.

Probers said the suspect utilized his establishment and social media account to engage in the illegal trade of unlicensed firearms.

Among his clients were reportedly high-profile gun enthusiasts, politicians with private armies and some uniformed personnel.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition have been filed against the suspect before the Marikina City prosecutor’s office.