DAVAO CITY — Clad in military uniform onboard a pick up truck, two individuals posed as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) entered the city through the Task Force Davao Lacson Checkpoint in Calinan District but turned out civilians carrying unlicensed firearms.
The incident happened at around 5:40 in the afternoon of January 11, 2024, but the press statement was only released on January 18.
The report of Task Force Davao identified the fake soldiers as Apolinar S. Sugala Jr, male, 25 years old, single, a resident of Poblacion Trento, Agusan del Sur and, Arvin Harold E. Hernandez, 31 years old, married, a resident of Brgy Sasa, Davao City.
The duo entered the city and even postured as soldiers with ensigña and other identities of real soldiers.
“Noong hiningian sila ng ID and papeles, wala silang mapakita at nag validate din kami kung saang unit, hindi sila makasagot at sinabi na naman nila, mga reservist na sila, no’ng tinanong about sa baril wala din silang mapakita. So, nagtataka bakit parang wala talaga silang mapakita, kaya hinuli (when we asked about their identification cards or any documents, they cannot show us any and when we validated about their unit they cannot answer and then, they said they are reservist. When we asked documents on their firearms they cannot present any. We started to dbout seemed they have nothing to show, we arrested them, ” Capt. John Louie Dema-ala, the spokesperson told Newsline.
Found in their possessions include: one (1) Cal. 9mm pistol (BERSA) bearing serial number 16574 with one (1) magazine and 14 live ammunitions; and one (1) Cal. 45 pistol (ARMSCOR) bearing serial number 1003470 with one (1) magazine and seven (7) live ammunitions.
One of the TF-Davao protocols mandate, that every police and army personnel passing their checkpoint must to present their identification cards and the documents relative to bringing firearms inside the city business district.
The suspects who will be charged for violating Article 179 of the RPC (Illegal use of Uniform and Insignia) are still at the custody of Calinan Police Precinct.
Task Force Davao Officer-in-charge Col. Ronaldo Valdez lauded his man for their vigilance and prompt action.
Valdez aired his apprehension about the pseudo soldiers, “They might be involved in illegal activities while pretending to be a military man.”
Valdez also called on other law enforcement agencies and the citizens in general, to report to the Davao City Police Office if they have any knowledge or information about the activities of Sugala and Hernandez as they face the full force of the law.
