High-powered firearms seized
By Chito O. Aragon
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 14:25:00 03/18/2008
DANAO CITY, Philippines - Two gun makers were arrested and 11 high-powered guns were seized by policemen in Danao City, known as the gun-making capital in Central Visayas.
Marlou Luga and Rene Caputolan, both of Barangay (village) Manlayag, were caught in the act of making guns by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7).
Seized from Luga's shanty were two improvised shotguns, a .38 caliber revolver, three unfinished KG-9 automatic pistols, different ammunitions and ammunition parts, while recovered in Caputolan's house were five unfinished KG-9 automatic pistols, gun parts and ammunitions.
Luga said he could finish making a KG-9 in a month.
He said the capital outlay for one KG-9 would cost about P7,000 and could be sold for about P10,000 to P11,000.
The CIDG-7 team headed by Senior Inspector Patrick Vaño had with them a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras.
Senior Superintendent Zoilo Lachica, CIDG-7 chief, said a stake out was conducted by his men against illegal gun manufacturers before the raid was conducted.
He said Luga and Caputolan were unlicensed gun makers.
Lachica said these firearms could be considered as loose firearms and could be used in crimes.
“These guns are common use for criminals not only in Cebu City but also including other towns in Cebu province,” he said.
The CIDG-7 chief said it will be checked if the suspects had financiers.
Luga and Caputolan admitted to the police their involvement in illegal gun-making.
“Di pa kaayo dugay. Tradition na sa among mga paryente (We started it just recently. It is a tradition of our relatives),” said Caputolan, adding that their family has been into gun-making since the time of his forefathers.
Luga and Caputolan were charged on Monday before the prosecutor’s office in Danao City for violation of Republic Act 8294, an act amending the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, entitled “Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful, Manufacture, Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives.
Lachica said his men will continue their surveillance in the possibility that there are more illegal gun makers in Danao.
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