Police authorities busted a gunrunning syndicate yesterday tagged as one of the suppliers of firearms to the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits and political warlords in Mindanao in a raid in their hideoutnear Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Armed with a search warrant, the police raided the safehouse of Unding Kenneth Isa in Barangay West Crame and seized grenade launchers, M14 and M16 rifles and thousands of ammunition with an estimated value of P6 million.

An in-depth investigation was immediately ordered by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa after it turned out that most of the seized guns from the group of Isa came from the government arsenal.

 “Most of the ammos are traced back to the government arsenal… we suspect that they have a contact from the government arsenal,” said Dela Rosa.

 “We want to put a stop to this.  If possible we put these people on a firing squad because this is a big offense.  You’re giving arms to the enemy,” he added.

Aside from Isa, police also arrested were Hja Risdimona Isa, Aljamer Akarab Mandih and Hurbin Alhi Sahibu.

Chief Supt. RoelObusan, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation stemmed from reports that Isa is involved ingunrunning operations serving clients mostly from Mindanao.

Worse, Obusan said among their clientsare ASG members based in Sulu.

 “They have been delivering firearms and ammunition to war lords in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), delivering it from Manila to Zamboanga then to  Jolo using Sports Utility Vehicles,”  Obusan revealed.

“Based on our intelligence reports, they have been delivering the firearms using the RORO (Roll On, Roll Off). We have traced a lot of deliveries in the past,” he added.

ORDER FOR MATERIEL

Dela Rosa said Isa ran as vice governor of Sulu in the May 2016 elections but lost.  He was presented to media yesterday but he refused to talk.

Obusan said Isa arrived in Manila in 2012 and put up a small garments business in Cubao.“The business is small yet, they were able to send their three children to a private school. Isa himself is a registered owner of four firearms,” said Obusan.

“His lifestyle is not commensurate to his income so I believe that this illegal activity is the main source of their income,” he added.

Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia, head of the CIDG- Anti-Transnational Crimes Unit (ACTU), said they received information that Isa made a direct deal with some ASG members last month for the purchase a cache of M203 grenade launchers, M14 rifles, explosive materials and thousands of ammunition.

The order for materiel was reportedly made by a ranking ASG commander.

 “Allegedly, the ASG is now strengthening their armaments to fight head on with government forces in Sulu and Basilan, and to intensify their kidnapping and bombing operations,” said Merdegia.

But even before the gun transaction last month, Merdegia said they already monitored the illegal activity of Isa.

“The illegal gun running activities intensified before the 2016 elections, wherein Isa reportedly ran for Sulu Vice Governor, but eventually lost,” said Merdegia.

Interviewed after the press briefing, dela Rosa shared that Isa told him that they were supposed to be allies because they both came from Mindanao.

“I told him he is a fool. I am a policeman and you are a criminal yet you want me to be your ally,” said Dela Rosa.

Merdegia said cases of illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives were filed against the suspects.

COURT MARTIAL

Meanwhile, two enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army (PA) will face court martial proceedings for reportedly stealing firearms and ammunitions and selling it to armed elements in Basilan, including the Abu Sayyaf.

Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesman, identified the two as Sergeant Jeffrey Ordonio and Technical Sergeant  Santiago Caasi.

Hao said initial investigation showed that Sgt. Ordonio was allegedly found to have stolen 1,000 rounds of various ammunitions/bullets.

Ordonio was arrested by troops from the 10th Infantry Division and policemen at Mawab, Compostela Valley last Sept. 23.

Caasi who allegedly soldM203s, M-14 and M-16 rifles and bullets to criminal elements was arrested by soldiers from the 1st Cavalry squadron at Camp Jacobo Zobel in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, last September 20. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Aaron B. Recuenco

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