(Eagle News)- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa on Tuesday (September 27) presented to members of the media P6 million worth of seized high-powered firearms bought by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“Isa’s group and some ASG members have been in Manila since August 2016 to buy a cache of guns, explosive components, and ammunition upon orders of unidentified ASG commander,” Dela Rosa told reporters at Camp Crame.
“The contraband will be used in the alleged against strengthening of the ASG’s armaments in their fight against government forces in Sulu and Basilan as well as the intensification of their kidnapping and bombing operations,” he added.
The firearms were seized from four suspects in Barangay West Crame, San Juan in September 24.
The suspects were identified as Unding Kenneth Isa, Hja Risdimona Isa, Aljamer Akarab Mandih and Hurbin Alhi Sahibul.
Three of them were released due to lack of evidence except Kenneth who was the subject of the search warrant.
Dela Rosa said most of the seized ammunition came from the government’s arsenal, while the firearms are still being verified by their serial numbers to know their origin.
According to the police chief, the firearms were supposed to be smuggled out of Manila to Sulu via roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel.
The seized arms include M203 grenade launchers, M14 and M16 rifles.
“How I wish ma-firing squad natin yung mga responsible dito,” Dela Rosa said.
