DAVAO CITY — A police officer and his two companions were arrested for allegedly selling firearms to fellow cops at about 3:00 p.m , Monday, October 28, along the national highway in Barangay New Carmen, Tacurong City.
The report submitted by the Philippine National Police- Regional Intelligence Division (RID) XII, identified the suspects as PNP/SSgt. Herbert Mariano y Espiritu, 38, presently assigned at Magpet Municipal Police Station and a resident Ring-ay, Kabacan, Cotabato; Rommel Jay Ballesteros and; Chris John Paltip, both residents of Poblacion, Kabacan, Cotabato.
The suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation led by L. Col. Rey Egos of RID XII.
The team recovered the following items from the possession of the suspects: one unit M16 rifle with serial number L356113 with magazine inserted loaded with twenty six (26) live ammunition; one unit Colt Caliber .45 pistol with serial number 461195 with inserted magazine loaded with six (6) live ammunition and one (1) unit Glock 17 Gen 4 with serial number PNP35651 with inserted magazine, chamber loaded and with thirteen (13) live ammunition and one (1) extra magazine loaded with fourteen (14) live ammo and one (1) unit Ford Ranger Pick-up color black with Plate Number AAJ 7258, one (1) unit cellphone and boodle money.
The Tacurong City Police and RID 12 are preparing the charges against Mariano and two others for Violation of RA 10591 (Selling of Firearms).-With Report from Randy Patches/RondaFM TeleRadyo