Police authorities are checking the claim of a gun smuggling suspect that some of the illegal firearms parts they sold would be used in an alleged assassination plot against President Duterte. Customs passed on the information to the PNP, he said.
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Dela Rosa said the suspects used fictitious names and false documents when claiming the packages with the contraband of different firearms component parts which are bought in the U.S., and shipped to the country through the use of legitimate global cargo forwarders.
The CIDG said the syndicate’s modus operandi was to use fictitious consignees and addresses here when ordering firearms components in the United States, then shipped these to the Philippines through legitimate global cargo forwarders.
Ta-ala was also arrested in the police operation, but was brought to a hospital due to high blood pressure.
Palma said there were previous deliveries from the United States, which were facilitated through Atlas Shippers International Inc., involving the delivery of 104 different major component parts for the 5.56 caliber rifle; and 298 minor component parts for the 5.56 rifle, accessories, and bullet-proof vests, which were all delivered on different occasions to 129 people and one company across the country.
Likewise, Palma admitted that they have been selling on the internet the smuggled gun parts in the country through balikbayan boxes for two years already. The gun parts were shipped to customers using local courier services.
The deliveries made through Atlas included 104 different major components for 5.56 caliber rifle and 298 minor component parts for 5.56 rifle, accessories and bullet-proof vests.
At least 23 people who reportedly transacted with Ta-ala and Palma, including nine who voluntarily surrendered or appeared before the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the CIDG, have expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation, the PNP said.
They face charges of violating Republic Act. Palma underwent the inquest proceedings before the State Prosecutor’s Office at the Justice Department in Manila on August 8.
According to Dela Rosa, this latest shipment of gun parts which were seized by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Bacolod City, is composed of receiver assemblies and various accessories amounting to more than PHP4.5 million.
In Malacanang Palace, Secretary Ernesto Abella, the presidential spokesman, said Duterte was concerned but not anxious about the threats.
Inoferio said he surrendered the barrel he had bought from Ta-ala upon learning from the CIDG that the gun part was smuggled.
“Death threats are nothing new for President Duterte”. “The President seems to be pretty much untouched by all these threats”.
“He eats threats for breakfast”.
“Well, you know, like if you listen to the President, he eats it for breakfast, You know, this threat, he eats threat for breakfast”, the Presidential Spokesperson added. “It is a very heroic stand”, he added.
Despite all these, Malacañang said Duterte remains unfazed. He really understands there is a call to war on several fronts, war on drugs, war on terrorism, war on crime.
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“You know in the USA, if you order many firearms or firearm components, that’s already a questionable procurement, especially now that the United States is waging a war against terrorism”, Dela Rosa said. “So he’s really engaged in several fronts and he is very, very well aware that his life is constantly under threat”, he further said.
