DAVAO CITY –— The Bunawan police on Tuesday morning arrested a trader for carrying an unlicensed firearms and P4-million payout money he received from Kapa investment.
Bunawan Station Commander Police Major Noel Villahermosa in an interview with NewsLine identified the businessman as Edilberto Mabido Naupan, 45, businessman and a resident of Purok 10 Mabog, San Roque, Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
Villahermosa said Naupan was flagged down at the checkpoint of Task Force Davao, along Barangay Licanan highway, and while they were inspecting his MUX-SUV vehicle bearing plate MAI 6331, it yielded unlicensed firearms and huge cash.
“At first he declared he was only carrying P3-million but it turned out to be P4-million, we counted the money in his presence,” the police officer explained.
Villahermosa revealed they inquired with a bank on possible violations for carrying huge cash but they were told “Wala daw violation kasi Philippine bill, so, we will release it to his wife when she arrives, in the meantime- we are holding the money for safekeeping.”
The police officer said, Naupan informed him that the money he was carrying was derived from his payout from Kapa (Kabus Padatuon) investment long time ago, which he will use for payment of a property.
Kapa offices were closed after President Rodrigo Duterte declared it as a scam following the findings of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
But, Villahermosa said they will file charges against Naupan for carrying an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol with markings Springfield Armory Geneseo IL USA with Serial # 91257 Model 1911-A1 Cal 45 inserted with one magazine with six (6) live ammunitions for .45 caliber pistol and assorted cartridges from different firearms.
Naupan, as the police claimed possessed eight (8) bundles of money amounting Php 500,000.00 each with total amount of Php 4,000,000.00.
Villahermosa revealed, Naupan tried but failed to bribe Police Corporal l Alicer Cañete by offering him Php 6,500.00.
All confiscated items and cash are now at the custody of Bunawan police while cases for Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunitions (RA 10591); and Corruption of Public Officials (Art 212 of RPC) are being prepared for filing at City Prosecutors Office.-Editha Z. Caduaya
