Courtesy: National Bureau of Investigation
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apprehended a woman in Makati City accused of trafficking unregistered firearms, reportedly supplying them to politicians believed to be maintaining private armed groups.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the bureau disclosed that the suspect, presenting herself as a licensed gun dealer, was targeted following intelligence reports linking her to the sale of high-powered, fully automatic long weapons. Authorities noted that her clientele primarily included figures from Central Mindanao, Sulu, and Basilan.
Investigators validated the information after discovering that the suspect conducted transactions without requiring buyers to present a License to Own and Possess Firearms, a mandatory legal requirement. Acting on these findings, the NBI’s Counter-Terrorism Division, working alongside the Counter Intelligence and Technical Intelligence Divisions, launched a coordinated entrapment operation at her establishment in Makati last May 28.
During the operation, the suspect offered undercover agents a total of four unregistered automatic rifles and two unregistered pistols for a total amount of ₱1 million. The operatives agreed to the deal and proceeded to hand over marked currency as payment. Upon receiving the cash and while she was in the process of counting the bills, authorities moved in and formally placed her under arrest.
The suspect was subsequently transported to the NBI headquarters in Pasay City for standard booking and documentation. She is set to face inquest proceedings for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which strictly governs the manufacture, sale, and possession of firearms and ammunition in the country.
