4 Chinese nabbed for possession of firearms, explosives

MANILA, Philippines—Four Chinese nationals were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of several high-powered firearms and explosives in Ilocos Norte, police said Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Joseph Baltazar, Pasuquin chief of police, identified the suspects as Dang Hoi, Lui Xin, Lei Guang Feng and Dennis Co.

He said the suspects were initially caught at a checkpoint Tuesday after they tried to escape when personnel of a gasoline station in Nagsanga Village alerted the police that they were breaking bottles in the area.

When responding officers arrived, the suspects allegedly drove off on a Toyota vehicle driven by Co.

A chase ensued, but the suspects were blocked at a checkpoint in Barangay (village) Dadila.

When further searched, several firearms and explosives—three sub-machine guns, caliber .45 and 9mm pistols, hand grenade, and an improvised explosive device, among others—were recovered inside their vehicle.

In a television interview, Paul Versosa, Ilocos Norte Bureau of Immigration and Deportation chief, said that the suspects may be members of a kidnap group based on the items recovered from them of which included a duct tape and gun silencers.